More than 250 humanitarian and human rights organisations call to stop arms transfers to Israel, Palestinian armed groups
An open call to all UN Member States to stop fueling the crisis in Gaza and avert further humanitarian catastrophe and loss of civilian life.
Posted on 11 Apr 2024
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 beeninjured, 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 operationaland 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 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
Federation Handicap International - Humanity & Inclusion
War Child Alliance
Christian Aid
Norwegian People’s Aid
Médecins du Monde International Network
Mennonite Central Committee
medico international
Oxfam
Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)
Danish Refugee Council
Save the Children
Plan International
Norwegian Refugee Council
Diakonia
Amnesty International
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
Welfare Association
War on Want
War Childhood Museum Foundation
Palestinian Farmers Union
WESPAC Foundation, Inc.
United Nations Association - UK
Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha (BNPS)
Human Rights Sentinel
IM Swedish Development Partner
Firefly International
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM) GE
Nonviolent Peaceforce
Peace Action
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME)
Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation
France Palestine Mental Health Network
Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations
Syrian Network for Human Rights
INGO ALG Consultant Group
Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development
Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
Middle East Democracy Center (MEDC)
The National Organization of Yemeni Reporters SADA
L'Union Juice Française pour la Paix (UJFP)
Development and Peace - Caritas Canada
EmpowerVan
Train of Hope Dortmund e.V.
Jewish Network for Palestine
مدافعات للحقوق والحريات والتنميه
PELDA
Ina Autra Senda - Swiss Friends of Combatants for Peace
Street Child UK
Polish Medical Mission
Peace SOS
Gender Advisory Team, Cyprus
Olof Palmes Internationella Center
Cordaid
Street Child España
Share the World's Resources
Church and Peace - Ecumenical Peace Church Network in Europe
ForcesWatch
Vredesactie
Terre des Hommes Netherlands
Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights
Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Plateforme des ONG françaises pour la Palestine
PAX
EuroMed Rights
Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
The Presbyterian Church in Canada
The United Church of Canada
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
CIUSSS Centre-Sud
Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy
The Business Plan for Peace
Secours Catholique - Caritas France
Danish Muslim Aid
Peace Direct
Belgian Academics and Artists for Palestine (BA4P)
Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions - UK
The Dallaire Institute for Children Peace and Security
Creatura Think & Do Tank
Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions - Germany
Legal Action Worldwide (LAW)
The Hague Peace Projects
Anglican Pacifist Fellowship
Nonviolence International
Primate's World Relief and Development Fund
The United Church of Canada
Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion
The Anglican Church of Canada/L'Eglise anglican du Canada
MADRE
Ekō
ReThinking Foreign Policy
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) Germany
Initiatives et Changement (IofC France)
WeWorld
Pax Christi - Deutsche Sektion e.V.
Internationale Liga für Menschenrechte
Centre for Peace Research and Advocacy -CPRA
Equal Legal Aid
Young Christian Students Movement South Africa
Laurentiuskonvent e.V.
Socialist Movement of Ghana
Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation
Japan Fellowship of Reconciliation
Action Corps
EgyptWide for Human Rights
Pax Christi International
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) - Greece
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
KAIROS Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
Committee of 100 in Finland
Khulumani Support Group
Amos Trust
Sanad Basra Organization for Human Rights
Association Pour Jérusalem (France)
Community of Christ
Avaaz
Christian Jewish Allies for a Just Peace in Israel/Palestine
Women Volunteers for Peace
Forum Computer Professionals for Peace and Societal Responsibility
Salam For Yemen
Vereinigung Demokratischer Juristinnen und Juristen e.V. (VDJ)
Association France Palestine Solidarite Paris-Sud
Culture de Palestine
Emmaus International
Kristna Fredsrörelsen / SweFOR
Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
Medical Association for Prevention of War
HelpAge International
Quakers in Scotland (General Meeting for Scotland)
Forum Ziviler Friedensdienst e. V.
DAWN MENA
Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC)
NVMP-Artsen voor vrede
ActionAid France
Forum Computer Professionals for Peace and Societal Responsibility (FIfF) e.V.
Pax Christi Scotland
Shujaa Initiative
Pax Christi Itali
Pax Christi - Peru
Center for Jewish Nonviolence
Peace Movement Aotearoa
Center for Peace Education, Miriam College
Pax Christi England and Wales
Pax Christi Aotearoa NZ
Pax Christi Miriam College
Welfare Association
Age International
Watchlist of Children and Armed Conflict
Arms Information Centre (RIB e.V.)
Caritas International Belgium
Medact
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Feminist Humanitarian Network
Saferworld
Mwatana for Human Rights
The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation
International Alert
CIVICUS
Internationaler Versöhnungsbund - Deutscher Zweig e.V.
Pax Christi USA
Caritas Internationalis
The United Methodist Church - General Board of Church and Society
Belgian Academics and Artists for Palestine (BA4P)
Humance Heal for Human Rights
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
Min Haqi Foundation to Empower Women Politically and Economically
Yoga and Sport with Refugees
Caesar Families Association
KinderUSA
Ocalenie Foundation
Aura Freedom International
Finnish-Arab Friendship Society
Equal Legal Aid
Street Child Italy
Rebuilding Alliance
Bildungsprojekt Sachsen im Klimawandel
Diversity Matters North West Ltd
Un Ponte Per
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
Terre des Hommes Italy
Middle East Children's Alliance
Mercy Corps
Permanent Peace Movement
Seenaryo
Women for Peace and Democracy Nepal (WPD Nepal)
France Palestine Mental Health Network
Muslim Peace Fellowship
UCOS vzw (University Centre for Development Cooperation)
Protection International (PI)
Women's Rights to Education Programme
Women in Humanitarian Response Nigeria Initiative
IANSA Women Network Nigeria
Muslim Delegates and Allies Coalition
Mayworks Kjipuktuk/Halifax
Tamkeen for Legal Aid & Human Rights
Doctors Against Genocide
The Rights Forum
Women for Peace - Finland
Business Plan for Peace
Righting Relations Canada
Foyer du Monde
Bahrain Transparency
Rete Italiana Pace Disarmo
Nonviolence International
FundiPau
Control Arms
Climate Refugees
SOL Education Center
Centre for Peace Research and Advocacy (CPRA)
Centre de Estudios Ecuménicos - México
Daraj Media
Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines (CCBL)
Mujeres para el Dialogo
Pastoral Social, Iglesia Anglicana de México
Asociación de familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos y Víctimas de Violaciones a los Derechos Humanos en México AFADEM-FEDEFAM
Servicio Paz y Justicia (serpaj)-mexico
Global Thought
American Baptist Churches USA
Sojourners
Migrant Roots Media
Citizens for Just Policy
PEOPLES FEDERATION FOR NATIONAL PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT (PEFENAP)
Cameroon Youths and Students Forum for Peace (CAMYOSFOP)
Campaña Colombiana Contra Minas
Vision GRAM-International
The United Church of Christ
Caritas Middle East and North Africa
Comité pour une Paix Juste au Proche-Orient
BDS Berlin
SOMO (Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations)
Women in Black - Austria
Collective Aid
ReFOCUS Media Labs - Poland
Fund for Global Human Rights
Omega Research Foundation
Women for Weapons Trade Transparency
United Against Inhumanity (UAI)
Episcopal Peace Fellowship-Palestine Israel Network
Terre des Hommes International Federation
CCFD - Terre Solidaire
COCASEN - Coalición Nacional Contra el Abuso Sexual
CARE International
Fundación Ser de Paz AC
Forum of Disarmament and Development of Sri Lanka
FTSCD (Forum Togolais de la Société civile pour le Développement)
Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
MPower Change Action Fund
Steirische Friedensplattform
Minnesota Peace Project
Académicos con Palestina contra el genocidio - Mexico
Fundación Arcoiris por el respeto a la diversidad sexual - Mexico
