UK abstention from historic UNGA vote on ICJ ruling 'extremely disappointing'
Reacting to the UK abstaining from the vote at the UN General Assembly today, which saw a resolution welcoming the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on Israel’s occupation adopted, Hannah Bond, co-CEO of ActionAid UK, said:
“It is extremely disappointing to see the UK fail to take a stand for international law and back this historic resolution. Sitting on the fence is not good enough. Today it missed a powerful opportunity to join other UN General Assembly members in showing support for the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion.
“The judgement of the world’s top court was clear: the Israeli government’s continued occupation of the Palestinian territory is unlawful and must end. We call on the Israeli government to comply by ending its unlawful policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory, including by withdrawing its military forces and ceasing all settlement activities.
“Regardless of how they may have voted today, states have an unequivocal duty to adhere to the court’s ruling. For the UK, that means going further than it has already and halting all arms export licenses to the Israeli government immediately.
“After almost a year of relentless bombardment and killing in Gaza, which has left the women and girls we work with starving and barely surviving in inhumane conditions, an end to this crisis is needed more than ever. The UK must do everything in its power to secure a permanent and immediate ceasefire and the release of the hostages, including imposing sanctions, travel bans and asset freezes on senior Israeli government officials linked to alleged violations of international humanitarian law.”
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Spokespeople are available, please contact the ActionAid press office on uk.media@actionaid.org or on 07753 973 486