More than 150 NGOs call for immediate ceasefire in Middle East

More than 150 NGOs have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon and Israel and an end to impunity amid a spiralling humanitarian catastrophe and escalating conflict in the region.

A coalition of more than 150 NGOs, including Pax Christi International, PAX (NL), Pax Christi Australia, Pax Christi Germany, Pax Christi England and Wales, Pax Christi Flanders, Pax Christi Scotland and Pax Christi USA, joined together to urge the international community to end the impunity that has allowed atrocities by the Israeli Defence Forces against civilians to continue and escalate amid the growing catastrophe in Gaza, the West Bank and now Lebanon.

''Without accountability, there will be no red lines and no rock bottom,'' says the coalition. ''The UN Commission of Inquiry concluded last week that Israel has committed war crimes and the crime against humanity of extermination with relentless and deliberate attacks on medical personnel and facilities in Gaza, and called on member states to "cease aiding or assisting in the commission of violations."

Over the last 12 months, the UN Security Council has passed four resolutions on Gaza, including one calling for a ceasefire, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope of Article II of the Genocide Convention.

The ICJ also issued an Advisory Opinion that found that Israel's occupation and annexation of Palestinian territory is illegal, and the UN General Assembly passed a resolution demanding that Israel end its unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) within 12 months. Despite this, none of these measures have been implemented or adhered to.''

The statement concludes: "Failure to act now risks further eroding international norms and emboldening perpetrators. The cycle of violence against civilians needs to stop."

The statement was released as the government of France is hosting an international conference today in Paris on Lebanon, bringing together partner states, the United Nations, the European Union and international, regional and local civil society organisations with the aim to address the crisis in Lebanon.

Red the full letter here: https://paxchristi.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Joint-Statement-Open-Call-for-a-Ceasefire-in-Gaza-Lebanon-and-Israel-and-End-to-Impunity-October-2024.pdf