Israel’s rightwing government is recklessly steering the nation toward rogue-state status, with deeply troubling, escalating attacks on the
United Nations that fuel a dangerous drift from international accountability. From its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, down, it exhibits a brazen contempt for the global norms that govern human rights, conflict and diplomacy.
By voting to cripple the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa), Israel’s parliament has undermined essential services provided to Palestinian refugees, with no replacement. Israel alleges Unrwa allowed Hamas militants to infiltrate its staff, a charge that the UN denies. The move exposes Israel’s irresponsible international behaviour. Undermining the UN and its humanitarian agencies – which protect civilians and alleviate emergency conditions – is indefensible. These organisations are pillars of the international
legal and governance system. Though imperfect, this system remains essential in preserving a semblance of order, if not justice, within global relations.
The UN asserts, correctly, that the US’s double standards undermine international law enforcement. This hypocrisy creates competing justice standards, weighing crimes against humanity against a state’s strategic value. That variance can be seen in the recent Brics summit
communique, which acknowledged the international court of justice’s provisional measures against Israel, aimed at preventing genocide and Geneva convention violations. The US and allies like Britain cannot ignore Israel’s breaches of international law; complicity in war crimes would reflect a disregard for civilian lives. Yet Israeli soldiers
rarely face accountability.
The UN security council’s dysfunction, with
major powers using the Middle East for political gain, indicates that without a new approach, meaningful progress on peace in the region is unlikely. The US must restrain Israel to initiate a viable international peace process; without this, any foundation for peace crumbles.
analysis@the Guardian
