Last year, we issued a statement condemning the rising toll of violence in Israel and Palestine. As the devastation in Gaza continues, our demand for a #CeasefireNow and an end to arms trade is unwavering.
We have been disappointed to see the harmful actions of Western governments, including the UK where we are based. Time and again, they have failed to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Instead, they continue to provide weapons, as well as verbal and institutional support, which enable Israel’s assaults on entrapped Gazans. These civilians face not only occupation and bombardment, but also what the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled is a “plausible” risk of genocide.
In May, our Local Peacebuilding Expert asked: ‘are human rights really universal?’, and the answer of many Western governments seems to be a resounding ‘no’. That’s not an answer we can accept.
As a peacebuilding NGO, we continue to demand action from all governments, including the UK.
Join us by adding your voice to this petition for a #CeasefireNow and protection of civilians: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-oxfam/sign-now-uk-must-stop-selling-arms-to-israel/.
We have also called on Western governments to support necessary international justice processes at the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice. We have asked President Biden to protect the independence of the ICC and oppose the threats and calls for punitive actions against the Court.
While we push for government action, we see hope in the NGO campaigns, student protests, boycott movements and resistance to the arms trade. Grounded in the universality of human rights and desire for peace for all, these protests are reminders of the power of both individual people and collective movements. They are all vital forms of local peacebuilding.
