WILPF statement on the UN Special Rapporteur oPt’s report “From economy of occupation to economy of genocide”
WILPF delivered this statement during the Interactive Dialogue with Francesca Albanese— the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967— at the UN Human Rights Council, 59th session (16 June to 9 July 2025). In this dialogue, the Special Rapporteur presented her report “From economy of occupation to economy of genocide” (UN Index: A/HRC/59/23).
3 July 2025
Statement on the report “From economy of occupation to economy of genocide”[1]
WILPF welcomes the Special Rapporteur’s report.
We address states in this room that continue to authorise the transfer, direct or indirect, of arms, munitions, parts, components, and dual-use items to Israel.
We ask: how much more evidence do you need to put an end to these transfers?
How much more do you need to cease putting politics above your obligations under international law, under the Genocide Convention, International Humanitarian law (IHL), human rights law, the Arms Trade Treaty, and customary international law?
How much more before you stop being complicit in Israel’s crimes under international law, including apartheid, illegal occupation, and genocide?
As the Special Rapporteur states in her report, “While political leaders and governments shirk their obligations, far too many corporate entities have profited from Israel’s economy of illegal occupation, apartheid and now, genocide.”[2] We fully agree with the Special Rapporteur that ending complicity will not happen without holding the private sector accountable, including its executives. States and companies, particularly those providing weapons or technological, logistical, intelligence, and financial support to Israel, cannot claim ignorance of the international crimes being committed by Israel. These violations, building on decades of illegal occupation and apartheid, have been documented, verified and broadcast in real time for over 18 months.
As the Special Rapporteur underlines “Business continues as usual, but nothing about this system, in which businesses are integral, is neutral. This is a ‘joint criminal enterprise’, where the acts of one ultimately contribute to a whole economy that drives, supplies and enables this genocide.”[3]
Continuing to provide military support and other forms of assistance to Israel constitutes a clear violation of international law, including the obligation of States not to aid or assist internationally wrongful acts. It is legally indefensible. And it is morally unconscionable.
There is either compliance with international law, or there is not. States and corporations cannot pick and choose. The consequences of Israel’s continued impunity and exceptionalism are dire. Every day that States refuse to act emboldens further crimes, further defiance and unraveling of international law and the multilateral system.
In November 2023, Al-Haq, WILPF, the International Service for Human Rights and over 170 other organisations issued an urgent call for a comprehensive two-way arms embargo on Israel. Today, WILPF reiterates that call, and urges States and corporations to act, both unilaterally and collectively, to end their complicity in human rights violations and international crimes and to immediately implement all recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur.[4]
To quote author and journalist Omar El Akkad, “One day, when it’s safe, when there’s no personal downside to calling a thing what it is, when it’s too late to hold anyone accountable, everyone will have always been against this.” So, we ask you, on that day, how will you look back and judge your actions?
[1] UN Index A/HRC/59/23
[2] A/HRC/59/23, Summary
[3] A/HRC/59/23, paras. 91
[4] A/HRC/59/23, paras. 94-99
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