I have great respect for individuals and organisations that stand up and speak out against injustices. When I see the Ukrainian flag flying over Rye Town Hall and the Landgate I see our collective support for a nation suffering from an illegal and immoral invasion and occupation. However, each time I’ve viewed the flag since October I question why aren’t we supporting the Palestinian people in the same way and flying their flag?
In 2022 the UN General Assembly asked the International Court of Justice for its opinion on the legal consequences of Israel’s “prolonged occupation, settlement and annexation” of territories captured in the 1967 Middle East war, including the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. After decades of debates and resolutions at the United Nations the International Court of Justice affirmed on July 19 that Israel’s 57-year-long occupation violated international law.
The court also said that Israel’s presence in the territories should come to an end “as rapidly as possible” and that Israel was “under an obligation to provide full reparation for the damage caused by its internationally wrongful acts to all natural or legal persons concerned.” A separate genocide case was brought against Israel to the ICC by South Africa over its conduct in the war and in May the court ordered the country to immediately halt its military offensive in southern Gaza. This ruling was supported by 13 of the judges. Only two opposed it, including the former president of Israel’s Supreme Court.
The court stated that 800,000 Gazans have been displaced several times before and have already fled fearing for their lives; that many of these were responding to the Israel Defence Force’s "encouragement" to do so; and that most of them are living in inhuman conditions lacking access to food, water, sanitation, medical services and in most cases proper shelter. Over 40,000 have been killed, 70% being women and children.
This historic ruling by the International Court of Justice found multiple and serious international law violations by Israel towards Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian Territory, including finding Israel responsible for apartheid. The court placed responsibility with all states especially the United Nations to end these violations of international law. This ruling should be yet another wake up call for the United States to end its egregious policy of defending Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and prompt a thorough reassessment in other countries as well, especially here in the U.K.
I sincerely hope that in Rye our Town Council and citizens will reassess our own response to the atrocities being committed daily in Palestine and show the same level of support for these people as we do for the Ukrainians.
Let’s fly the Palestinian flag.
