THE ISRAEL – PALESTINE CONFLICT ANATHEMA TO FUNDAMENTAL INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND COVENANTS
“‘Any man who afflicts the human race with ideas must be prepared to see them misunderstood” – H.L Mencken
In April 2024, South Africa will be celebrating thirty years of constitutional democracy and to honour those who have sacrificed their lives. Whilst South Africa will be celebrating constitutional democracy, the people of Israel and Palestine are embroiled in a tragic conflict that has taken many innocent lives on both sides. On the 7th of October 2023, the brutal conflict between Israel and Palestine that led to the genocidal attacks against the Palestinians and hostages of innocent children and women provided acid test for the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and Covenants on Human Rights. The United Nations Universal Declaration of human rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1948 to protect and promote human rights amongst the nations of the world. The efficacy and authority of the United Nations to effectively call for a ceasefire was effectively challenged when Israel forged ahead to attack innocent civilians and every hospital in Gaza. The United Universal Declaration as a comprehensive human rights became ineffectively and valueless in Israel’s belligerent attitude which to date has killed thousands of Palestinians and displaced millions in Gaza. On the 24 of March 2024, the Israel security forces have killed 84 Palestinians without any adherence to calls for a ceasefire.
The Declaration of Human Rights as customary international law considers the above restrictions, including genocide, as inconsistent with international law. The killing of thousands of Palestinians and displacing of millions of families in Gaza constitutes genocides. The Israel conflict in its northern border with Lebanon with Hezbollah has the potential for a protracted regional conflict. There is increasingly no doubt that the immediate ceasefire will bring about the release of hostages held by Hamas and pave the way for the international proposed two states solution in the Israel – Palestine conflict.
