Saturday, October 4, 2025

Palestine: Any peace plan must respect international law, beginning with self-determination and accountability, urge UN experts 03 October 2025

https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/palestine

AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies]

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/10/palestine-any-peace-plan-must-respect-international-law-beginning-self

GENEVA – UN experts* today expressed hope for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza but warned that any peace plan must absolutely safeguard the human rights of Palestinians, and not create further conditions of oppression.

“We welcome parts of the peace plan announced by the United States to end the war in Gaza, including a permanent ceasefire, rapid release of unlawfully detained persons, an influx of humanitarian aid under United Nations supervision, no forced displacement from Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the non-annexation of territory,” the experts said. “These are broadly requirements of international law that should not depend on a formal peace plan.”

The experts warned that key elements of the plan are nevertheless deeply inconsistent with fundamental rules of international law and the 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice that demand that Israel ends its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

“Imposing an immediate peace at any price, regardless of or brazenly against law and justice, is a recipe for further injustice, future violence and instability,” they said.

The experts highlighted major concerns about the following aspects:

The Palestinian right of self-determination, including through independent statehood, is not guaranteed as international law requires, and is subject to vague pre-conditions concerning Gaza’s redevelopment, Palestinian Authority reform, and a “dialogue” between Israel and Palestine. Palestine’s future would thus be at the mercy of decisions by outsiders, not in the hands of Palestinians as international law commands. The plan also preserves the failed status quo of requiring more negotiations with Israel, when the Israeli Prime Minister has already declared that Israel would “forcibly resist” statehood. This is blatantly against the International Court of Justice (ICJ) finding that fulfilling the right of self-determination cannot be made conditional upon negotiations.
The “temporary transitional government” is not representative of Palestinians and even excludes the Palestinian Authority, further violating self-determination and lacking legitimacy. There are no concrete benchmarks or timeframes for a transition to representative governance, which belongs to the Palestinians only, without foreign interference.
Oversight by a “Board of Peace” chaired by the US President is not under United Nations authority or transparent multilateral control, while the US is a deeply partisan supporter of Israel and not an “honest broker.” This proposal is regrettably reminiscent of colonial practices and must be rejected.
An “International Stabilisation Force”, outside the control of the Palestinian people and the United Nations as a guarantor, would replace Israeli occupation with a US-led occupation, contrary to Palestinian self-determination.
Partial Israeli occupation could continue indefinitely through a “security perimeter” inside Gaza’s borders, which, is absolutely unacceptable.
The demilitarisation of Gaza has no end date and, if permanent, could leave it vulnerable to Israeli aggression. Nothing is said regarding the demilitarisation of Israel, which has committed international crimes against the Palestinians and threatened peace and security in the region through aggression against other countries.
Deradicalisation is imposed on Gaza only, while anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab sentiments, radicalisation and public incitement to genocide have been hallmarks of dominant rhetoric in Israel over the past two years.
The plan largely treats Gaza in isolation from the West Bank including East Jerusalem, when these areas must be regarded as a unified Palestinian territory and State.
An “economic development plan” and “special economic zone” could result in illegal foreign exploitation of resources without Palestinian consent.
There is no duty on Israel and those who have sustained its illegal attacks in Gaza to compensate Palestinians for illegal war damage.
The plan provides for the release of all Israeli hostages but only some of the many arbitrarily detained Palestinians.
Amnesties offered to Hamas seem to be unconditional, even if they committed international crimes, denying justice for victims of international crimes.
The plan does not address accountability at all for Israeli international crimes and human rights violations against the Palestinian people. There is no commitment to transitional justice, historical truth-telling or genuine reconciliation. There is also no guaranteed access for independent journalists. Accountability and justice are integral to sustainable peace.
The plan does not address other fundamental issues such as ending illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank including East Jerusalem, borders, compensation, and refugees.
The plan does not provide a leading role for the United Nations, General Assembly or Security Council, or specifically for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which is vital to assisting and protecting Palestinians.

“Any peace plan must respect the ground rules of international law,” the experts said. “The future of Palestine must be in the hands of the Palestinian people – not imposed by outsiders under extreme conditions of duress in yet another scheme to control their destiny.”

The experts recalled that the International Court of Justice had been crystal clear. “Conditions cannot be placed on the Palestinian right of self-determination,” they said. “The Israeli occupation must end immediately, totally and unconditionally, with due reparation made to the Palestinians.”

“The United Nations – not Israel or its closest ally – has been identified by the ICJ as the legitimate authority to oversee the end of the occupation and the transition towards a political solution in which their right of self-determination is fully realised,” the experts said.

*The experts

https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/palestine

More about human rights law

More about instruments

"Violence must never be normalized or glorified. It provides no solutions to social problems. Our path forward lies in unity and peace." Volker Türk- United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

"Violence must never be normalized or glorified. It provides no solutions to social problems. Our path forward lies in unity and peace." Volker Türk United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

@UNHumanRights Chief

Friday, October 3, 2025

Pope Leo XIV with young Palestinian Christians from the “Youth of Jesus’ Homeland” group.

Pope Leo XIV with young Palestinian Christians from the “Youth of Jesus’ Homeland” group. On October 1, 2025, Pope Leo XIV met with a group of 50 Palestinian youth from the "Youth of Jesus' Homeland Palestine" (YJHP) during his general audience in St. Peter's Square. The group, on a pilgrimage to Italy, shared their message of peace amidst regional strife and hope rooted in the Gospel. – @vaticannewsit

Pope Leo XIV

@Pontifex

“I express my deepest sympathy to the Palestinian people in Gaza, who continue to live in fear and survive in unacceptable conditions, forced—once again—from their lands.”

Pope Leo XIV
@Pontifex

Al Jazeera English

@AJEnglish

Pope Leo XIV has called on Israel to end the ‘terror, destruction and death’ in Gaza. In his weekly address, he backed church leaders in Jerusalem who condemned Israel’s order to evacuate Gaza City, warning it would endanger vulnerable civilians.

https://x.com/AJEnglish/status/1960776965142560856

https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2025/8/27/pope-urges-end-to-terror-destruction-and-death-in-gaza

AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes or tweets) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies]

Justice for Palestinians Can’t Wait for a Peace Deal: Concrete Action by Governments Is Urgently Needed

Louis Charbonneau

United Nations Director

Bénédicte Jeannerod

France Director

The calamitous situation in Gaza, with Palestinian civilians facing extermination and ethnic cleansing by Israeli forces, was a major focus of the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) high-level week. Along with recognition of the state of Palestine by France, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, among others, states made key commitments on human rights and accountability that were overwhelmingly adopted by the UNGA and now need to be fulfilled.

On September 29, US President Donald Trump released his 20-point “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict,” which makes no mention of either human rights or justice. But states should not wait for the adoption of a peace plan to fulfill their commitments on rights. They should take immediate action, using their leverage as required as parties to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, to stop Israel’s escalating atrocities against Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

Governments should suspend arms transfers to Israel and their preferential trade deals, ban trade with illegal settlements, and impose targeted sanctions on Israeli officials responsible for ongoing crimes against Palestinian civilians.

All governments should support accountability for Israeli authorities’ war crimes, crimes against humanity, including extermination, apartheid, and persecution, and acts of genocide. They should also pursue accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder and unlawful imprisonment, committed by Palestinian armed groups against Israelis during the October 7, 2023, attacks and the holding of hostages.

They should rally behind the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is combating impunity for atrocity crimes globally, and condemn and act to counter US sanctions against ICC judges and officials, prominent Palestinian rights organizations, and a UN expert.

States approved the UNGA resolution ahead of a high-level conference that marked the passing of the September 2025 deadline for states to comply with a landmark July 2024 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The vote this year should not be an empty gesture as Israeli authorities expand illegal settlements and further displace and exterminate Palestinians. Respect for Palestinians’ basic rights is not dependent on reaching agreement on a peace plan. Countries should move ahead quickly with steps that advance justice and accountability.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/10/02/justice-for-palestinians-cant-wait-for-a-peace-deal

Commission of Inquiry Report Highlights Growing Consensus on Israel’s Genocidal Gaza Campaign

"A ripple effect- They may not have reached Gaza's shores, but the crew still delievered... For the first time sine October 2023 Palestinain could fish without being shot at by the Israeli navy (they've been too busy chasing the flotillas)."

OFFICIAL UPDATE FROM GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA

Organization CONFIRMS the Israeli naval forces illegally intercepted and boarded the Global Sumud Flotilla’s vessel Sirius along with other boats in international waters.

38 PEOPLE from 16 COUNTRIES KIDNAPPED

The people of Gaza thank the Global Sumud Flotilla for giving them an opportunity to fish by distracting the occupation forces whose mission is genocide by hunger.

Global Sumud Flotilla Commentary

@Globalsumudf

Images of activists Rima Hassan and Greta Thunberg have emerged as they are being deported — both smiling defiantly.

Their courage exposes the injustice of a system that deports those bringing aid, while protecting those enforcing an illegal siege.

You can detain people, but you can’t deport the truth

Middle East Eye

@MiddleEastEye

“From the sea to Gaza - we will not forget you. We will not let you be forgotten. This is the voice of humanity.”

These were the last words recorded from the Marinette, the last active boat of the Global Sumud Flotilla, before Israeli forces intercepted them on Friday.

With roughly 500 participants from different countries aboard at least 42 vessels, the Global Sumud Flotilla set out carrying humanitarian aid in an historic effort to open up a humanitarian corridor in the Gaza strip.

It was the largest civilian-led initiative ever to try and break Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza. https://x.com/MiddleEastEye/status/1974069720119656459

Israeli Embassy in Athens under siege last night as the city comes out to protest the holocaust in Gaza and the IDF kidnapping of comrades on the Global Flotilla.

"It is a clear strategy: kill the witnesses, close Gaza, lock down the narrative. Preventing the international press from entering means silencing independent foreign observers to this conflict. And at a time when Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is promising to recolonise Gaza, controlling the narrative is as crucial as controlling the territory itself. Colonising also means erasing the ruins, the dead, the survivors and those who tell their stories." Anthony Bellanger in The Guardian

The camera, press vest, helmet and mobile phone belonging to the Mariam Abu Dagga, one of the journalists killed in the Israeli army’s attack on Nasser hospital in Gaza on 25 August. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

Anthony Bellanger: Gaza has become journalism’s graveyard. Killing journalists is killing the truth

If we accept that reporters die in Gaza, we pave the way for other regimes to consider the murder of journalists a normal instrument of war

History will only be kind to witnesses. In Gaza, it will remember the name of Anas al-Sharif, a young Al Jazeera reporter killed on 10 August 2025. It will also remember the 222 other Palestinian journalists murdered in the past two years by the Israeli army, according to the International Federation of Journalists’ own monitoring. But those who chose to eliminate these media workers will remain condemned forever.

For 24 long months now, Gaza has become the most dangerous place in the world to practise our profession. Israel prohibits foreign journalists from entering the territory, so the truth relies exclusively on Palestinian reporters – almost all of whom are members of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate, affiliated to the IFJ. Too often they work without protection and without refuge for their families. And all too often, they are directly targeted.

Never before has the profession of journalism seen such a massacre in its ranks. The International Federation of Journalists, founded in 1926 and celebrating its centenary in Paris in May 2026, has recorded no comparable death toll since its formation, neither during the second world war, nor in Vietnam, Korea, Syria, Afghanistan or Iraq. Gaza has become the worst graveyard for journalists in contemporary history.

But this is not a series of accidental tragedies. It is a clear strategy: kill the witnesses, close Gaza, lock down the narrative.... READ MORE https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/oct/03/gaza-conflict-killing-journalists-has-become-journalism-graveyard

The deadly toll on journalists in the Gaza war

Journalist safety

My life in Gaza: ‘We burned our copy of Nineteen Eighty-Four to bake bread. What would Orwell think of us now?’

Palestinians in a badly damaged building in the Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City, 15 September. Israel’s military had said only days earlier that it would act with ‘great force’ in Gaza City and told people to leave as it stepped up its deadly assault. Photograph: Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty Images

About this content

Karim in Gaza

Fri 3 Oct 2025 01.00 EDT

Karim is a trained nurse in his early 20s from Gaza City. Until Israel’s recent forced displacement order he lived in the ruins of his former home with his parents and brothers. He has now been displaced by the war 13 times and survived an Israeli strike in Rafah. He kept a diary for the Guardian over the past month.

17 August 2025

After two years, I’ve lost all hope. I don’t believe the news about [US President Donald] Trump ending the war. My father says we should move to Deir al-Balah in the south soon, before they force us out again.If it were anyone else, the UN would have stepped in. But for us, nothing. Now they talk about sending us to South Sudan – a country racked by civil war, already full of displaced people. There are 2 million of us, trapped in less than 20 sq km, just waiting to die slowly. And the world will shrug. [Former Israeli prime minister] Golda Meir once said: “[W]e will perhaps in time be able to forgive the Arabs for killing our sons, but it will be harder for us to forgive them for having forced us to kill their sons.” That says it all. Sometimes, I think Israel should be studied by psychologists – maybe then the world would finally understand the madness we live under.

18 August 2025

I caught a ride to Deir al-Balah with a friend – it felt like an act of daring: cars altered to carry extra people, trailers clinging on like lifeboats. You hold on with everything you have, because if you don’t, you could fall into the open road and be lost.

Near al-Nabulsi Square I saw a “hizam nari” – a ribbon of fire across the sky. Fighter jets carved a line of explosions above Gaza City, one after another; ash clouds rose and everything below them was erased. I counted five, six rockets – then stopped counting because counting felt useless. I have to find shelter for my family – an apartment, a garage, any small place. My mind keeps slipping, I forget things, I forget plans – the chaos steals them... READ MORE https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/oct/03/my-life-in-gaza-we-burned-our-copy-of-nineteen-eighty-four-to-bake-bread-what-would-orwell-think-of-us-now

My life in Gaza: ‘Do you know the series Squid Game?’

Thursday, October 2, 2025

"Humanitarian-aid flotilla stopped... but weapons keep flowing #peace #gaza #palestine" Yusuf / Cat Stevens

"Humanitarian-aid flotilla stopped... but weapons keep flowing #peace #gaza #palestine"

Yusuf / Cat Stevens

@YusufCatStevens

Maha Hussaini

@MahaGaza

"While Israel intercepts and attacks the Global Sumoud Flotilla, its occupation army is carrying out massacres in Gaza and detonating multiple booby-trapped vehicles in Gaza City"

Assal Rad@AssalRad
"“Saying those who stay will be considered militants” An absurd headline from @AP , repeating Israeli propaganda and normalizing threats against civilians."

"Those who remain in Gaza will be considered terrorists and terror supporters" Israeli Minister for Defence, Israel Kantz

Catholic Arena

@CatholicArena

'Those who remain in Gaza will be considered terrorists and terror supporters' Israeli Minister for Defence, Israel Kantz

Altar boys at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City today, some of the people Israel is labeling as "terrorists"

chunguskitten

@chunguskitten The whole world is the Holy Grail.

There is no escape. Israel controls all the borders, the sea, and the Rafah crossing to Egypt.

Before October 7 Gaza was the world’s largest open air prison but now it’s the world’s largest death camp.

Day 725 in crucified Gaza- Holy Family Catholic Church

Annie's New Letters (& notes)

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