Israel will soon be brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) once again. The new suit has been filed by another non-Arab country, Indonesia. Last month, the ICJ heard the suit filed by South Africa, accusing Israel of perpetrating genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. The suit Indonesia filed relates to Israel’s over-70-year-long occupation of Palestine. Just as South Africa demanded measures to halt the genocide of the Palestinians, Indonesia wants to end the occupation. Whereas South Africa’s suit is based on the Genocide Convention which has been ratified by most UN member states, Indonesia is bringing to bear an arsenal of international laws prohibiting the forceful occupation of the territory of others. There is a whole gamut of international laws and provisions regarding occupation. Occupying powers must not alter the geographic and demographic character or exploit and profit from the resources of the occupied territory. They are also obliged to protect the archaeological and cultural heritage of the occupied people. Israel has violated all these international laws and others for the last three-quarters of a century. It has systematically attempted to erase the Arab character of all aspects of life in Palestine and to Judaize the occupied territories. It has renamed streets, villages and cities, not least of which is Deir Yassin, which was razed to the ground and replaced by Kfar Shaul.
As the entire West Bank and occupied Jerusalem testify, Israel has flagrantly worked to alter the demographic character of the occupied territories, driving out the inhabitants by force and killing them, if need be, to settle foreign Jewish immigrants in their place. Important historical and cultural heritage is not spared in the process. UNESCO recently voiced concern that Israel has destroyed 200 archaeological sites in Gaza during the last three months. Israel has also been exploiting the natural resources of the occupied Palestinian territories, as it did during the time it occupied the Egyptian Sinai.
Israel is being increasingly exposed for what it is: a rogue state that has been nurtured and pampered by the West and is now being pursued through international courts on charges related to the most heinous crimes. It is worth noting that the parties that are filing these suits are not directly involved in the Arab-Israeli conflict.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 15 February, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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