International institutions and Israeli accusations

Considering the ongoing tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, the Israeli government recently accused the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of siding with the Palestinian people in the case brought by South Africa, and also accused the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) of terrorism.

This accusation sparked various international reactions, as some considered it an escalatory step aimed at undermining international efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while others saw it as an attempt to distort the image of international institutions that seek to achieve justice and peace in the region.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the longest conflicts in the world, dating back to the early twentieth century. Over time, tensions between the two sides worsened due to the occupation of Palestinian territories and issues such as settlements, the status of Jerusalem and the right of return for Palestinian refugees. With the increase in Israeli attacks and violence, it has become necessary for the international community to intervene to calm the situation and seek a peaceful solution.

The International Court of Justice is the main judicial body of the United Nations, and its mission is to settle legal disputes between states and issue legal opinions on matters referred to it by the specialised bodies of the United Nations.

The Israeli government accused the International Court of Justice of exceeding its powers and interfering in Israel’s internal affairs through fatwas and decisions that Israel considers non-binding and unjust. Israel considers the court to be biased against it and does not reflect the facts on the ground.

UNRWA, on the other hand, was established in 1949 to provide support and relief to Palestinian refugees in its five areas of operations: Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. As for UNRWA, Israel accused it of supporting terrorism by providing education, health and social services to Palestinian refugees.

 It considered that some UNRWA programmes contribute to promoting hatred and violence against Israel. In addition, Israel also claimed that some UNRWA workers have links to terrorist organisations, which has not been proven on the ground.

The Israeli accusations sparked strong reactions from the international community. Many countries and actors in the international arena considered these accusations an attempt to undermine the credibility and legitimacy of international institutions seeking to achieve justice and peace in the region. The United Nations also expressed its deep concern about these accusations and affirmed its support for the tasks of UNRWA and the International Court of Justice.

Israeli accusations may exacerbate the situation in the region and complicate international efforts to achieve peace. International institutions such as the International Court of Justice and UNRWA play a vital role in providing legal and humanitarian support to the Palestinian people and contributing to building confidence between the conflicting parties.

Weakening the credibility of these institutions may lead to a decline in international support for the Palestinians, which will increase their suffering and enhance their feelings of injustice and frustration. This step may also harm diplomatic relations between Israel and the countries that support these institutions, which increases Israel’s isolation on the international scene.

It is necessary for all parties to work to enhance dialogue and cooperation instead of escalation and mutual accusations. Israel and the Palestinians can benefit from international mediation to reach peaceful and lasting solutions to the conflict.

The international community, including the United Nations, must also work to enhance the credibility of international institutions and ensure their neutrality and independence. Member States must also provide the necessary support to UNRWA and the International Court of Justice to enable them to continue their work in providing support and assistance to the Palestinians and promoting justice and peace in the region.

Finally: The Israeli accusations against the International Court of Justice and UNRWA raise questions about the intentions of the Israeli government and the challenges faced by international institutions in the pursuit of justice and peace. It is important that international and local parties cooperate to achieve a peaceful and sustainable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ensure human rights and justice for all, and enhance security and stability in the region.

Hasan Dajah is professor of strategic studies at Al Hussein Bin Talal University