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Over 250 Humanitarian and Human Rights Organisations join call to end Arms Transfers to Israel, Palestinian Armed Groups

NEW YORK, 11 April 2024: A group of more than 250 humanitarian and human rights organisations from across the world– including Palestinian and Israeli groups – are demanding that all States immediately halt the transfer of weapons, parts, and ammunition to Israel and Palestinian armed groups.  

A statement demanding this action, which was initially issued in January with a signee list that included sixteen major humanitarian and human rights organisations, has in recent months grown substantially as the war in Gaza has worsened. Now, a milestone of over 200 organisations have signed onto the statement, showing the increasing relevance and urgency of this call. 

''Gaza today is the most dangerous place to be a child, a journalist, and an aid worker,'' the statement reads. ''Hospitals and schools should never become battlegrounds. These conditions have created a situation of utter desperation inside Gaza, leading top aid officials to declare that there are no longer the conditions for a meaningful humanitarian response in Gaza. This will not change until the siege, the bombardment and the fighting ends.''

The statement calls upon the UN Security Council to ''fulfill its responsibility to maintain global peace and security by adopting measures to halt the transfer of weapons to the Government of Israel and Palestinian armed groups and prevent the supply of arms that risk being used in the commission of international crimes, effective immediately.'' 

JOINT STATEMENT

An open call to all UN Member States to stop fuelling the crisis in Gaza and avert further humanitarian catastrophe and loss of civilian life

 We, the undersigned organisations, call on all States to immediately halt the transfer of weapons, parts, and ammunition to Israel and Palestinian armed groups while there is risk they are used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian or human rights law.

Israel’s bombardment and siege are depriving the civilian population of the basics to survive and rendering Gaza uninhabitable. Today, the civilian population in Gaza faces a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented severity and scale.

Violations of international humanitarian law

Furthermore, Palestinian armed group-led attacks killed around 1,200 people and took hundreds of Israeli and foreign hostages, including children, and continue to hold more than 130 hostages captive inside Gaza. Armed groups in Gaza have continued to indiscriminately fire rockets toward population centres in Israel, disrupting school for children, displacing and threatening the lives and well being of civilians. Hostage-taking and indiscriminate attacks are violations of international humanitarian law and must end immediately.

Humanitarian agencies, human rights groups, United Nations officials, and more than 153 member states have called for an immediate ceasefire. However, Israel continues to use explosive weapons and munitions in densely populated areas with massive humanitarian consequences for the people of Gaza. World leaders have urged the Israeli government to reduce civilian casualties, yet Israeli military operations in Gaza continue to kill people at unprecedented levels, according to remarks by the UN Secretary-General. Member states have a legal responsibility to use all possible tools to leverage better protection of civilians and adherence to international humanitarian law. Gaza’s remaining lifeline – an internationally-funded humanitarian aid response – has been paralyzed by the intensity of the hostilities, which have included the shooting of aid convoys, recurrent communications blackouts, damaged roads, restrictions on essential supplies, an almost complete ban on commercial supplies, and a bureaucratic process to send aid into Gaza.

Destruction and civilian harm

Israel’s military activity has destroyed a substantial portion of Gaza’s homes, schools, hospitals, water infrastructure, shelters, and refugee camps; the indiscriminate nature of these bombings and a pattern of apparently disproportionate civilian harm they routinely cause is unacceptable. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned of the “heightened risk of atrocity crimes” being committed in Gaza and called on all states to prevent such crimes from unfolding. Since this call, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has only deteriorated further:

  • More than 33,000 Palestinians, at least 14,500 of them children, have been killed over the last six months, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Thousands more are buried under the rubble and presumed dead.
  • More than 75,000 people have been injured, many with life-changing injuries that will leave them with permanent disabilities; these include more than 1,000 Palestinian children who have lost one or more of their upper or lower limbs.
  • An unknown number of Palestinian civilians, reportedly including children, have been unlawfully detained, according to the UN, and must be released.
  • Palestinians continue to be killed nearly every day in areas the Israeli government told them to flee. In the first week of 2024, an Israeli airstrike killed 14 people – the majority children – near an area Israeli forces prescribed as a “humanitarian zone.”
  • Over 70% of Gaza’s population, around 1.7 million people, has been forcibly displaced. Many followed Israeli-issued orders to relocate south and are now being squeezed into tiny pockets of land that cannot sustain human life, which have become breeding ground for the spread of disease.

Children and families face starvation

  • Half of the population of Gaza - around 1.1 million Palestinians - are facing catastrophic levels of hunger and starvation, the highest number ever recorded by the technical humanitarian body responsible for making evidence-based assessments of food insecurity, with famine now imminent in northern Gaza. The entire population of the Gaza Strip - around 2.2 million people - are facing high levels of acute food insecurity. 
  • More than 70% of Gaza’s homes, much of its schools, and its water and sanitation infrastructure have been destroyed or damaged and left the population with almost no access to clean water.
  • Not a single medical facility in the enclave is fully operational and those partially functioning are overwhelmed with trauma cases and shortages of medical supplies and doctors. More than 489 health workers have been killed.
  • At least 243 aid workers* in Gaza have been killed, the highest of any conflict in this century.

Gaza today is the most dangerous place to be a child, a journalist, and an aid worker. Hospitals and schools should never become battlegrounds. These conditions have created a situation of utter desperation inside Gaza, leading top aid officials to declare that there are no longer the conditions for a meaningful humanitarian response in Gaza. This will not change until the siege, the bombardment and the fighting ends. In January, the United Nations described humanitarian access as a “significant deterioration.” Israeli forces have repeatedly denied permission for aid convoys to reach areas north of Wadi Gaza where people are at the highest risk of starvation.

In recent weeks, high ranking Israeli officials have begun calling for the deportation of Palestinian civilians out of Gaza. The forcible transfer within Gaza and deportation of a portion of the population across borders, lacking any guarantees of return, would constitute a serious violation of international law, amounting to an atrocity crime.

We demand an immediate ceasefire

We demand an immediate ceasefire and call on all states to halt the transfer of weapons that can be used to commit violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. The UN Security Council must fulfill its responsibility to maintain global peace and security by adopting measures to halt the transfer of weapons to the Government of Israel and Palestinian armed groups and prevent the supply of arms that risk being used in the commission of international crimes, effective immediately.

All states have the obligation to prevent atrocity crimes and promote adherence to norms that protect civilians. The international community is long overdue to live up to these commitments.

Editor’s Note

  • This statement was initially published on 24 January 2024, with the endorsement of 16 humanitarian organisations. Since its publishing, more than 250 civil society organisations around the world have endorsed the call. This statement has been updated to reflect figures that are accurate as of 10 April 2024, including the numbers of people killed, including children, aid workers, and health care workers, the number of those injured, and the latest figures in respect to food insecurity released by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification
  • Since the original statement was published on 24 January 2024, the following events have occurred:
    • On 26 January 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued provisional measures in the case of the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel).
    • On 12 February 2024, the Dutch Court ordered the government of Netherlands to stop supplying F35 fighter jet parts to Israel within seven days, due to the risk of serious violations of international humanitarian law. 
    • On 23 February 2024, UN experts released a joint-statement stating that arms exports to Israel must stop immediately, stating, “The need for an arms embargo on Israel is heightened by the International Court of Justice’s ruling on 26 January 2024 that there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza and the continuing serious harm to civilians since then.” 
    • On 25 March 2024, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2728 demanding an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan. 
    • On 28 March 2024, the ICJ issued additional provisional measures alongside observations of the court that “famine is setting in.”
    • On 5 April 2024, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution to “cease the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and other military equipment to Israel, the occupying Power…to prevent further violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights.”
  • The total number of aid workers killed includes staff members of UN agencies, NGOs, as well as thePalestinian Red Crescent Society. Figures on the annual number of aid workers killed in other context can be found on the Aid Worker Security Database

 

 Undersigned 

1 Federation Handicap International - Humanity & Inclusion 

2 War Child Alliance 

3 Christian Aid 

4 Norwegian People’s Aid 

5 Médecins du Monde International Network 

6 Mennonite Central Committee 

7 medico international 

8 Oxfam 

9 Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) 

10 Danish Refugee Council 

11 Save the Children 

12 Plan International 

13 Norwegian Refugee Council 

14 Diakonia 

15 Amnesty International 

16 American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) 

17 Welfare Association 

18 War on Want 

19 War Childhood Museum Foundation 

20 Palestinian Farmers Union 

21 WESPAC Foundation, Inc. 

22 United Nations Association - UK 

23 Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha (BNPS) 

24 Human Rights Sentinel 

25 IM Swedish Development Partner 

26 Firefly International 

27 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 

28 Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM) GE 

29 Nonviolent Peaceforce 

30 Peace Action 

31 Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) 

32 Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation 

33 France Palestine Mental Health Network 

34 Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations 

35 Syrian Network for Human Rights. 

36 INGO ALG CONSULTANT GROUP 

37 Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development 

38 Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect 

39 Middle East Democracy Center (MEDC) 

40 The National Organization of Yemeni Reporters SADA 

41 L'Union Juive Française pour la Paix (UJFP) 

42 Development and Peace - Caritas Canada 

43 EmpowerVan 

44 Train of Hope Dortmund e.V. 

45 Jewish Network for Palestine 

46 مدافعات للحقوق والحریات والتنمیھ 

47 PELDA 

48 Ina autra senda - Swiss Friends of Combatants for Peace 

49 Street Child UK 

50 Polish Medical Mission 

51 Peace SOS 

52 Gender Advisory Team, Cyprus 

53 Olof Palmes Internationella Center 

54 Cordaid 

55 Street Child España 

56 Share The World's Resources 

57 Church and Peace - Ecumenical Peace Church Network in Europe 

58 ForcesWatch 

59 Vredesactie 

60 Terre des Hommes Netherlands 

61 Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights 

62 Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 

63 Plateforme des ONG françaises pour la Palestine 

64 PAX 

65 EuroMed Rights 

66 Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) 

67 The Presbyterian Church in Canada 

68 The United Church of Canada 

69 Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) 

70 CIUSSS Centre-Sud 

71 Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy 

72 Business Plan for Peace 

73 Secours Catholique - Caritas France 

74 Danish Muslim Aid 

75 Peace Direct 

76 Belgian Academics and Artists for Palestine (BA4P) 

77 Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions - UK 

78 The Dallaire Institute for Children Peace and Security 

79 Creatura Think & Do Tank 

80 Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions - Germany 

81 Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) 

82 The Hague Peace Projects 

83 Anglican Pacifist Fellowship 

84 Nonviolence International 

85 Primate's World Relief and Development Fund 

86 Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion 

87 The Anglican Church of Canada/L'Eglise anglican du Canada 

88 MADRE 

89 Ekō 

90 ReThinking Foreign Policy 

91 International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) Germany 

92 Initiatives et Changement (IofC France) 

93 WeWorld 

94 Pax Christi - Deutsche Sektion e.V. 

95 Internationale Liga für Menschenrechte 

96 Centre for Peace Research and Advocacy -CPRA 

97 Equal Legal Aid 

98 Young Christian Students Movement South Africa 

99 Laurentiuskonvent e.V. 

100 Socialist Movement of Ghana 

101 Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation 

102 Japan Fellowship of Reconciliation 

103 Action Corps 

104 EgyptWide for Human Rights 

105 Pax Christi International 

106 International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) - Greece 

107 Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada 

108 KAIROS Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives 

109 Committee of 100 in Finland 

110 Khulumani Support Group 

111 Amos Trust 

112 Sanad Basra Organization for Human Rights 

113 Association Pour Jérusalem (France) 

114 Community of Christ 

115 Avaaz 

116 Christian Jewish Allies for a Just Peace in Israel/Palestine 

117 Women Volunteers for Peace 

118 Forum Computer Professionals for Peace and Societal Responsibility 

119 Salam For Yemen 

120 Vereinigung Demokratischer Juristinnen und Juristen e.V. (VDJ) 

121 Association France Palestine Solidarite Paris-Sud 

122 Culture de Palestine 

123 Emmaus International 

124 Kristna Fredsrörelsen / SweFOR 

125 Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament 

126 Medical Association for Prevention of War 

127 HelpAge International 

128 Quakers in Scotland (General Meeting for Scotland) 

129 Forum Ziviler Friedensdienst e. V. 

130 DAWN MENA 

131 Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC) 

132 NVMP-Artsen voor vrede 

133 ActionAid France 

134 Pax Christi Scotland 

135 Shujaa-Initiative 

136 Pax Christi Italia 

137 Pax Christi - Perú 

138 Center for Jewish Nonviolence 

139 Peace Movement Aotearoa 

140 Center for Peace Education, Miriam College 

141 Pax Christi England and Wales 

142 Pax Christi Aotearoa NZ 

143 Pax Christi Miriam College 

144 Age International 

145 Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict 

146 Arms Information Centre (RIB e.V.) 

147 Caritas International Belgium 

148 Medact 

149 Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns 

150 Feminist Humanitarian Network 

151 Saferworld 

152 Mwatana for Human Rights 

153 The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation 

154 International Alert 

155 CIVICUS 

156 Internationaler Versöhnungsbund - Deutscher Zweig e.V. 

157 Pax Christi USA 

158 Caritas Internationalis 

159 The United Methodist Church — General Board of Church and Society 

160 Humance Heal For Human Rights 

161 International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) 

162 Min Haqi Foundation to Empower Women Politically and Economically 

163 Yoga and Sport with Refugees 

164 Caesar Families Association 

165 KinderUSA 

166 Ocalenie Foundation 

167 Aura Freedom International 

168 Finnish-Arab Friendship Society 

169 Street Child Italy 

170 Rebuilding Alliance 

171 Bildungsprojekt Sachsen im Klimawandel 

172 Diversity Matters North West Ltd 

173 Un Ponte Per 

174 Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) 

175 Terre des Hommes Italy 

176 Middle East Children's Alliance 

177 Mercy Corps 

178 Permanent Peace Movement 

179 Seenaryo 

180 Women for Peace and Democracy Nepal (WPD Nepal) 

181 Muslim Peace Fellowship 

182 UCOS vzw (UNIVERSITY CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION) 

183 Protection International (PI) 

184 Women's Right to Education Programme 

185 Women in Humanitarian Response in Nigeria Initiative 

186 IANSA Women Network Nigeria 

187 Muslim Delegates and Allies Coalition 

188 Mayworks Kjipuktuk/Halifax 

189 Tamkeen for Legal Aid & Human Rights 

190 Doctors Against Genocide 

191 The Rights Forum 

192 Women for Peace - Finland 

193 Righting Relations Canada 

194 Foyer du Monde 

195 Bahrain Transparency 

196 Rete Italiana Pace Disarmo 

197 FundiPau 

198 Control Arms 

199 Climate Refugees 

200 SOL Education Center 

201 Centro de Estudios Ecuménicos - México 

202 Daraj Media 

203 Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines (CCBL) 

204 Mujeres para el Dialogo 

205 Pastoral Social, Iglesia Anglicana de México 

206 Asociación de familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos y Víctimas de Violaciones a los Derechos Humanos en México AFADEM-FEDEFAM 

207 Anti-Prison Feminist Project - Sisters in the Shade (Mexico) 

208 Servicio Paz y Justicia (serpaj)-mexico 

209 Global Thought 

210 American Baptist Churches USA 

211 Sojourners 

212 Migrant Roots Media 

213 Citizens for Just Policy 

214 PEOPLES FEDERATION FOR NATIONAL PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT (PEFENAP) 

215 Cameroon Youths and Students Forum for Peace (CAMYOSFOP) 

216 Campaña Colombiana Contra Minas 

217 Vision GRAM-International 

218 The United Church of Christ 

219 Caritas Middle East and North Africa 

220 Comité pour une Paix Juste au Proche-Orient 

221 BDS Berlin 

222 SOMO (Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations) 

223 Women in Black - Austria 

224 Collective Aid 

225 ReFOCUS Media Labs - Poland 

226 Fund for Global Human Rights 

227 Omega Research Foundation 

228 Women for Weapons Trade Transparency 

229 United Against Inhumanity (UAI) 

230 Episcopal Peace Fellowship-Palestine Israel Network 

231 Terre des Hommes International Federation 

232 CCFD-Terre Solidaire 

233 COCASEN - Coalición Nacional Contra el Abuso Sexual 

234 CARE International 

235 Fundación Ser de Paz AC 

236 Forum o Disarmament and Development of Sri Lanka 

237 FTSCD(Forum Togolais de la Société civile pour le Développement) 

238 Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft 

239 MPower Change Action Fund 

240 Steirische Friedensplattform 

241 Minnesota Peace Project 

242 Académicos con Palestina contra el genocidio 

243 International Rescue Committee 

244 Fundación Arcoiris por el respeto a la diversidad sexual 

245 Broederlijk Delen 

246 Coordinadora Galega de ONG para o Desenvolvemento 

247 ARSIS Association for the Social Support of Youth 

248 Churches for Middle East Peace 

249 Educo - Spain 

250 MENA Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (MENAPPAC) 

251 Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) - Lebanon 

252 Entraide et Fraternité - Belgium