The United Nations’ special rapporteur for Gaza, Francesca Albanese, has called on nations around the world to take concrete actions to stop what she described as a “genocide” in Gaza. Albaniaese said that each state must immediately review and suspend all ties with Israel, including its private sector.
Albanese’s comments came at a two-day conference organized by the governments of Colombia and South Africa, which has been attended by developing nations and several countries from Europe and Asia. The conference aims to discuss ways to stop Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, where over 58,000 people have been killed since a deadly Hamas attack on Israel in 2023.
Many participating nations have described the violence as genocide against Palestinians. However, Israel has rejected these allegations, calling them an “antisemitic blood libel.” Analysts say it’s unclear whether the conference can force Israel to change its policies in Gaza, given the country’s strong diplomatic influence.
The gathering comes at a time when several countries are weighing measures against Israel, including a ban on imports from Israeli settlements and individual sanctions against Israeli officials. The Colombian Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Mauricio Jaramillo said that the nations participating in the conference will discuss diplomatic and judicial measures to put pressure on Israel to cease its attacks.
Albanese also drew parallels between the situation in Gaza and South Africa’s apartheid regime, urging participants to consider imposing sanctions on Israel until it withdraws from Gaza and the West Bank. The European Union is weighing various measures against Israel, including an arms embargo and individual sanctions against Israeli officials found to be blocking a peaceful solution to the conflict.
The conference aims to clarify the position of Global South countries towards the conflict and enable them to have their voices heard. The gathering comes as international organizations continue to demand that Israel withdraw its military from Palestinian territories and stop selling weapons to the country.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/colombia-palestinians-conference-genocide-israel-south-africa-7292dcc347407bbd5ad76f54fab3c619