Global Response to Israeli apartheid: A call to the UNGA from Palestinian and international Civil Society Organizations

Apartheid is a crime against humanity, giving rise to individual criminal responsibility and State responsibility to bring the illegal situation to an end. In May 2020, a large number of Palestinian civil society organisations called on all States to adopt “effective countermeasures, including sanctions, to end Israel’s unlawful acquisition of Palestinian territory through use of force, its regime of apartheid, and its denial of our inalienable right to self-determination.”

In June 2020, 47 independent human rights experts within the United Nations (UN) stated that the Israeli government plans to illegally annex large parts of the occupied West Bank would constitute “a vision of a 21st-century apartheid.” Also in June, 114 Palestinian, regional, and international civil society organisations sent a strong message to UN Member States that now is the time to recognise and confront Israel’s establishment and maintenance of an apartheid regime over the Palestinian people as a whole, including Palestinians on both sides of the Green Line and Palestinian refugees and exiles abroad.

We further recall that, in December 2019, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) urged Israel to give full effect to Article 3 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which pertains to the prevention, prohibition, and eradication of all policies and practices of segregation and apartheid, on both sides of the Green Line. As recently highlighted by South Africa at the UN Human Rights Council, “The CERD found… that the strategic fragmentation of the Palestinian people formed part of a policy and practice of segregation and apartheid. Annexation would be yet another example of complete impunity that makes a mockery of this Council and would gravely breach international law.” 

In light of the mounting recognition of Israel’s maintenance of an apartheid regime over the Palestinian people, which will only continue to be entrenched through annexation, we, the undersignedPalestinian, regional, and international civil society organisations, urgethe UN General Assembly to take urgent and effective actions to address the root causes of Palestinian oppression and to end Israel’s occupation, illegal blockade of Gaza, unlawful acquisition of Palestinian territory by force, its regime of apartheid over the Palestinian people as a whole, and the prolonged denial of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including to self-determinationand the right of Palestinian refugees and displaced persons to return to their homes, lands, and property.

In light of the above, we call on all Member States of the UN General Assembly to:

●     Launch international investigations into Israel’s apartheid regime over the Palestinian people as a whole, as well as associated State and individual criminal responsibility, including by reconstituting the UN Special Committee against Apartheid and the UN Centre Against Apartheid to end apartheid in the 21st century.

●     Ban arms trade and military-security cooperation with Israel.

●     Prohibit all trade with illegal Israeli settlements and ensure that companies refrain from and terminate business activities with Israel’s illegal settlement enterprise.

List of signatories from Palestine

·      Palestinian Human Rights Organization Council (PHROC), consisting of: 

1.    Al Haq Organization - Law in the Service of Mankind

2.    Al Mezan Center for Human Rights

3.    ADDAMEER Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association

4.    Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

5.    DCI - Defense for Children International - Palestine

6.    Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center 

7.    Aldameer Association for Human Rights

8.    Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies

9.    Hurryyat - Center for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights

10.  The Independent Commission for Human Rights (Ombudsman Office) - Observer Member

11.  Muwatin Institute for Democracy and Human Rights - Observer Member

 

·      Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO), including:

12.  Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem

13.  Arab Center for Agricultural Development (ACAD)

14.  The Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies

15.  Psycho-Social Counselling center for Women (Bethlehem)

16.  Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society

17.  Women's Center for Legal aid and Counseling (WCLAC)

18.  Women Study Center (WSC PAL)

19.  Union of Palestinian Women's Committees

20.  Nawa for Culture and Arts Association

21.  Al Karmel Association

22.  Aisha Association for Women and Child Protection

23.  The National Society for Rehabilitation 

24.  Baitona Association for Community and Development

 

25.  Civic Coalition for the Defense of Palestinian Rights in Jerusalem

List of international signatories

Argentina

26.  Liga Argentina por los Derechos Humanos

27.  Jóvenes con Palestina

Austria

28.  Women in Black (Vienna)

Bangladesh

29.  La Via Campesina South Asia

Belgium

30.  La Centrale Generale-FGTB

31.  European Trade Union Network For Justice in Palestine (ETUN)

32.  De-Colonizer

33.  Association belgo-palestinienne WB

34.  Viva Salud

35.  CNCD-11.11.11

36.  Vrede vzw

37.  FOS vzw

38.  Broederlijk Denle

39.  Belgian Campaign for Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (BACBI)

40.  ECCP (European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine)

Brazil

41.  Coletivo Feminista Classista ANA MONTENEGRO

42.  ESPPUSP - Estudantes em Solidariedade ao Povo Palestino (Students in Solidarity with the Palestinian People - USP)

Canada

43.  Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network

44.  Just Peace Advocates

Colombia

45.  BDS Colombia

Egypt

46. Habitat International Coalition - Housing and Land Rights Network

Finland

47. Finnish-Arab Friendship Society

48. ICAHD Finland

France

49.  Collectif Judéo Arabe et Citoyen pour la Palestine

50. Union syndicale Solidaires

51. Mouvement International de la Réconciliation (IFOR)

52. Forum Palestine Citoyenneté

53. CPPI SAINT-DENIS [Collectif Paix Palestine Israël]

54. La Cimade

55. Union Juive Française pour la Paix (UJFP)

56. Association des Universitaires pour le Respect du Droit International en Palestine (AURDIP)

57. Association France Palestine Solidarité (AFPS)

58. MRAP

59. Association "Pour Jérusalem"

60. One Justice

61. Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM)

62. Plateforme des ONG françaises pour la Palestine

63. ritimo

64. CAPJPO-EuroPalestine

Germany

65. German- Palestinian Society (DPG e.V.)

66. ICAHD (Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions) Germany

67. BDS Berlin

68. AK Nahost Berlin

69. Juedische Stimme für gerechten Frieden in Nahost e.V

70. Versöhnungsbund Germany (International Fellowship of Reconciliation, German Branch)

71. Attac Germany Federal Working Group Globalization and War

72. Salam Shalom e. V.

73. German-Palestinian Society

Greece

74. BDS Greece

75. KEERFA – Movement United Against Racism and Fascist Threat

76. Network for Political and Social Rights

77. Encounter for an Anti-capitalist Internationalist Left

India

78. Delhi Queerfest

79. NDCW-National Dalit Christian Watch

80. INDO-PALESTINE SOLIDARITY NETWORK

81. National Alliance for People's Movement

82. Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society

Ireland

83. Gaza Action Ireland

84. Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign

85. Irish Football Fans Against Israeli Apartheid

86. Students For Justice in Palestine - Trinity College Dublin

87. People Before Profit

88. United Against Racism – Ireland

89. Peoples Movement - Gluaiseacht an Phobail

90. Centre for Global Education

91. Galway Anti Racism Network

92. Industrial Workers of the World (Ireland)

93. Black Lives Matters Kerry

94. Anti Deportation Ireland

95. Academics for Palestine

96. Kairos Ireland

97. Irish Congress of Trade Unions

98. Independent Workers Union

99. CorkCouncil of Trade unions

100.                 Sligo/Leitrim Council of Trade Unions

101.                 Galway Council of Trade Unions

102.                 Workers Solidarity Movement

103.                 Trade Union Friends of Palestine

104.                 Sadaka - The Ireland Palestine Alliance

105.                 Trócaire

106.                 Brazilian Left Front

107.                 Peace and Neutrality Alliance

108.                 MASI

109.                 Irish Nurses and Midwives Organization (INMO)

110.                 Queer Action Ireland

111.                 Abolish Direct Provision Ireland

112.                 Union of Students in Ireland

113.                 Comhlámh Justice for Palestine

114.                 Irish Anti-War Movement

115.                 Jewish Voice for a Just Peace – Ireland

116.                 Shannonwatch

117.                 Fingal Communities Against Racism

118.                 SARF - Solidarity Against Racism and Fascism

119.                 Mandate Trade Union

120.                 Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council

Italy

121.                 W.I.L.P.F. – ITALIA 

122.                 Rete Radié Resch gruppo di Milano 

123.                 Centro Studi Sereno Regis

124.                 Pax Christi Italia - Campagna Ponti e non Muri

125.                 Rete Radié Resch - gruppo di Udine

126.                 Rete-ECO (the Italian Network of Jews against the Occupation)

127.                 Nwrg-onlus

128.                 Centro di Salute Internazionale e Interculturale (CSI) – APS

129.                 Italian Forum of Water Movements

130.                 Fondazione Basso

131.                 Amici della mezzaluna rossa palestinese

132.                 Donne in nero Italy

133.                 Rete Romana Palestina

134.                 AssoPacePalestina

Luxembourg

135.                 Comité pour une Paix Juste au Proche-Orien

Malaysia

136.                 BDS Malaysia 

137.                 Malaysian women coalition for al Quds and Palestine

138.                 Muslimah Interest Zone & Networking Association (MIZAN)

139.                 Pertubuhan Mawaddah Malaysia

140.                 Muslim Care Malaysia

141.                 National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students (PKPIM)

142.                 Citizens International

Mexico

143.                 Coordinadora de Solidaridad con Palestina

Mozambique

144.                 Justiça Ambiental / Friends of the Earth Mozambique

Norway

145.                 The Palestine Committee of Norway

146.                 Association of Norwegian NGOs for Palestine

Philippines

147.                 Karapatan Alliance Philippines

South Africa

148.                 #Africa4Palestine

149.                 Workers' World Media Productions

150.                 World Beyond War -- South Africa

151.                 Lawyers For Human Rights

152.                 SA BDS Coalition

Spainish State 

153.                 ASPA (Asociación Andaluza por la Solidaridad y la Paz)

154.                 Rumbo a Gaza

155.                 Mujeres de Negro contra la Guerra – Madrid

156.                 Plataforma por la Desobediencia Civil

157.                 Asamblea Antimilitarista de Madrid

158.                 SUDS - Assoc. Internacional de Solidaridad y Cooperación

159.                 Red Cántabra contra laTrata y la Explotación Sexual

160.                 ICID (INICIATIVAS DE COOPERACIÓN INTERNACIONA PARA EL DESARROLLO)

161.                 Desarma Madrid

162.                 Ecologistas en Acción

163.                 Human Rights Institute of Catalonia (Institut de Drets Humans de Catalunya)

164.                 Associació Hèlia, de suport a les dones que pateixen violència de gènere

165.                 Servei Civil Internacional de Catalunya

166.                 Fundación Mundubat

167.                 Coordinadora de ONGD de Euskadi

168.                 Confederacion General del Trabajo.

169.                 International Jewish Antizionist Netwoek (IJAN)

170.                 ELA

171.                 Penedès amb Palestina

172.                 La Recolectiva

173.                 Institut de Drets Humans de Catalunya

Sri Lanka

174.                 Sri Lanka Journalists for Global Justice

Switzerland

175.                 Collectif Action Palestine

176.                 Gesellschaft Schweiz Palästina (Association Swiss Palestine)

177.                 Gerechtikgiet und Frieden in Palästina GFP

178.                 Collectif Urgence Palestine-Vd

179.                 BDS Switzerland

180.                 BDS Zürich

The Netherlands

181.                 St. Groningen-Jabalya

182.                 WILPF Netherlands

183.                 Palestina Werkgroep Enschede (NL)

184.                 Black Queer & Trans Resistance NL

185.                 EMCEMO

186.                 CTID

187.                 Breed Platform Palestina Haarlem

188.                 docP - BDS Netherlands

189.                 Stop Wapenhandel

190.                 Transnational Institute

191.                 Palestina Komitee Rotterdam

192.                 Palestine Link

193.                 Christian Peacemaker Teams – Nederland

194.                 Soul Rebel Movement Foundation

195.                 The Rights Forum

196.                 Nederlands Palestina Komitee

Timor-Leste

197.                 Comite Esperansa / Committee of Hope

198.                 Organização Popular Juventude Timor (OPJT)

Tunisia

199.                 Tunisian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (TACBI)

United Kingdom

200.                 Architects and Planners for Justice in Palestine

201.                 Jewish Network for Palestine

202.                 UK-Palestine Mental Health Network

203.                 War on Want

204.                 Palestine Solidarity Campaign UK

205.                 Campaign Against Arms Trade

206.                 Jews for Justice for Palestinians

207.                 ICAHD UK

208.                 Al-MUTTAQIIN

209.                 Scottish Jews Against Zionism

210.                 Cambridge Palestine Solidarity Campaign

211.                 Craigavon Council of Trade Unions

212.                 Sabeel-Kairos UK

213.                 End Deportations Belfast

214.                 NUS-USI

215.                 UNISON Northern Ireland

216.                 Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign

217.                 Scottish Palestinian Forum

218.                 San Ghanny Choir

219.                 Scottish Friends of Palestine

United States

220.                 Berkeley Women in Black

221.                 USACBI: US Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel

222.                 Labor for Standing rock

223.                 United Methodists for Kairos Response

224.                 Stand With Kashmir

225.                 Grassroots Global Justice Alliance

226.                 Jewish Voice for Peace

227.                 Labor for Palestine

228.                 Jews for Palestinian Right of Return

229.                 Jewish Voice For Peace Central Ohio

230.                 Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign

Yemen

231.                 Mwatana for Human Rights