Hearings began this week at the top court of the United Nations on Israel’s humanitarian obligations toward Palestinians. But Israel insists it is the intergovernmental organisation itself that has questions to answer over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) proceedings follow persistent criticism from European leaders on the blocking of aid deliveries to Gaza. Israeli officials have described this as “one of the central pressure tools that stops Hamas from using this means against the population.” And it appears to be having an effect, with Hamas slowly signaling a preparedness to drop its ‘red lines’ in ceasefire talks.
After the hearings opened with a Palestinian ambassador accusing Israel of a “genocidal campaign,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar turned the attention to the UN, saying:
I accuse all those that weaponise international law and its institutions in order to deprive the most attacked country in the world—Israel—of its most basic right to defend itself.
I accuse. I accuse UNRWA. I accuse the UN. I accuse the Secretary-General. I accuse all those that weaponize international law and its institutions in order to deprive the most attacked country in the world — Israel — of its most basic right to defend itself. pic.twitter.com/AfdHe7ymj3
Sa’ar pointed in particular at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), whose shelters in Gaza have reportedly been used by Hamas to hold Israeli hostages, and whose officials are said to have “regularly” met with Hamas terrorists.
Sa’ar said the hearings at the ICJ were part of a wider “systematic persecution and delegitimisation of Israel.”
Serious allegations have long been leveled against UNRWA, yet EU and UK leaders continue to offer it their support, all the while urging Israel to immediately stop its campaign against Hamas.
Israel says it will resume assistance to Gaza once the remaining hostages have been released.
Michael Curzon is a news writer for europeanconservative.com based in England’s Midlands. He is also Editor of Bournbrook Magazine, which he founded in 2019, and previously wrote for London’s Express Online. His Twitter handle is @MichaelCurzon_.
