A coalition of over 30 nations, known as The Hague Group, convened on Friday to push for a unified global response aimed at ending the violence in Gaza. The coalition urged countries worldwide to stop supporting Israel through arms sales, financial transactions, and energy partnerships, stressing the importance of concrete measures over mere words.
The call comes nearly a year after the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution demanding Israel comply with the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion to withdraw from the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Despite the deadline, Israel has reportedly continued its activities, ignoring international mandates.
Since its inception earlier this year, The Hague Group has encouraged member states to take decisive steps such as banning arms exports to Israel, halting weapons shipments, suspending contracts with Israeli companies, and cutting energy ties. These actions, combined with efforts to ensure legal accountability at national and international levels, aim to hold Israel responsible for its actions.
At a meeting held alongside the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, the coalition stressed that accountability is non-negotiable and warned against allowing impunity. They emphasized that every nation must uphold its duty to prevent atrocities by enforcing international laws through coordinated efforts involving judicial systems, trade controls, and financial regulations.
Representatives from Colombia and South Africa, serving as co-chairs, highlighted the urgent choice facing governments: either be complicit or take a stand for justice. They criticized leaders who condemn violence verbally but fail to act decisively through policy and legislation.
The Hague Group concluded by inviting all countries to join in severing ties that contribute to the ongoing conflict, vowing to continue advocating for legal and diplomatic measures that uphold international law and protect the Palestinian people. Members of the group include Bolivia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, and Senegal, reflecting a broad international commitment to this cause.
