• Call to Action in Support of the ICJ-rulings on Gaza and all Palestinian Territories

The horrific plight of the Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem; and the ongoing, grave disregard shown to human rights and international law by the State of Israel, supported by various allies, necessitates a call to action. Please consider reading about the legal framework that applies and join a worldwide appeal to the international community, to engage in safeguarding fundamental human rights, safety and self-determination on both sides in compliance to international law.

International Law: South Africa’s case against Israel

South Africa’s case against Israel, "Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip" (South Africa v. Israel) 2023 – see www.icj-cij.org/case/192 - alleges violations of the Genocide Convention in Gaza, and seeks provisional measures to halt Israel’s military operations in Gaza to prevent further irreparable harm to civilians and hold perpetrators accountable. The evidence presented by South Africa, supported by a number of other States, included the staggering death toll, the mass displacement, and the systematic deprivation of food, water, and medical aid to Palestinians in Gaza. The evidence shows a harrowing picture of collective punishment and potential genocidal acts.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has given Israel until January 2026 to present evidence to the contrary and has not yet decided whether the term ‘genocide’ applies, but it has already issued a number of unequivocal interim rulings. On January 24, 2024, the ICJ ruled that at least some of the acts and omissions alleged by South Africa to have been committed by Israel in Gaza appear to be capable of falling within the provisions of the (Genocide) Convention. It obliges Israel to take all measures to prevent genocidal acts and ensure basic services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza.

On March 28, 2024, the ICJ ruled that need for basic services and humanitarian assistance necessitated Israel to open land crossing points and to “immediately halt” its military operations in Rafah.

On May 24, 2024, the ICJ ordered ending the military operations in Rafah, and amongst other orders, it required Israel to specifically open the Rafah crossing for humanitarian assistance.

Israel’s illegal occupation

On July 19, 2024, in a separate case at the request of the General Assembly of the United Nations, based on other international Conventions and Covenants – see www.icj-cij.org/index.php/node/204160 - the ICJ condemned Israel’s illegal occupation, discriminatory legislation and measures since 1967 in all Palestinian occupied territories: Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in violation of international law, stating that Israel is under obligation to bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible. The ICJ moreover ruled that all States and international organisations, including the United Nations, are obliged not to recognize the unlawful presence of the State of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, nor aid or assist its prolongation. All of these rulings are binding.

Israel’s Defiance

The state of Israel has defiantly opposed and violated these rulings. For months, Israel has blocked all deliveries of food, water and humanitarian aid. The UN World Food Programme reported “it has depleted all its food stocks in Gaza”. The Israeli security cabinet is now escalating even further in ‘Operation Gideon’s Chariots’, aiming to control the entire Gaza strip. Palestinians are effectively forced to go to a small area in the southwest of Gaza. Severely limited food aid is distributed by a private company under Israeli control. This is widely criticized, amongst others by the United Nations.

The attacks and kidnappings by Hamas on October 7, 2023, occurred after decades of illegal occupation and thwarting fundamental Palestinian human rights, but they were horrific and must be condemned. However, those acts do not justify the collective punishment of 2.3 million people in Gaza, the mass killing of civilians, the starvation of children, the near-total destruction of all civilian infrastructure, and the forced displacements of the Palestinian civilians into unsafe areas threatening their very existence.

The State of Israel’s disregard of the ICJ’s rulings and international law, combined with the dangers the Palestinians as a people are in, extremely so in Gaza, but also in the other Occupied Territories and in Israeli detention, necessitates a worldwide pushback.

Criticism of the State of Israel must not be confused with antisemitism, which is a form of discrimination and violates international law, too. To be clear, the people of Israel and all those worldwide who identify as Jews have the right to be safe, as do the Palestinians.

Nearly 10,000 Palestinians are currently detained in brutal Israeli detention centres. Amongst them are children and many are detained for years without charge. All Israeli hostages and all Palestinian detainees must be released immediately. Going forward, detention must not be used as weapon on either side.

No State is above international law.

The United World Colleges (“UWC”) were set up after World War II to foster peace and international understanding. A group of alumni has come together to express deep concern with the current plight of the Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Israeli detention; and with the grave disregard currently shown to human rights and international law by the State of Israel, supported by its various allies. We are putting out a Call to Action and inviting current students, alumni, teaching/operational staff, and others affiliated to UWC past or present as well as family, friends and colleagues who share these concerns to sign. After signatures have been collected, we will ask those who signed to bring this Call to Action to the attention of governments, political leaders and others who can make a difference.

Though our convictions have been shaped in part from our shared experiences at UWC, we want to make it clear that we do not represent UWC and all those who sign this Call to Action do so on a personal basis.

We also recognize there are more conflicts which merit an expression of solidarity and appeal to action; each in its specific context. Ultimately also for a broader and indiscriminate application, we are calling for the upholding of international law.

Call to Action We appeal to our governments and to the international community to:

1. demand Israel to immediately comply with the ICJ’s rulings,
2. demand Israel’s allies stop supporting Israel’s illegal and possible genocidal actions against the Palestinians
3. support developing a plan that safeguards basic human rights, safety and self-determination on both sides in compliance to international law.

Justice delayed is justice denied.

Dated: June 8, 2025