Statement by Navi Pillay, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, to the General Assembly Third Committee

28 October 2025

Mr. Chair. Excellencies. Colleagues. Good morning.

7 October 2025 marked two years since the brutal attack by Palestinian militants that killed 1200 Israelis and foreigners in southern Israel, it also marks the date when the most ruthless, prolonged and widespread attack against the Palestinian people in history was launched by Israel.

While the ceasefire and release of hostages and prisoners, offer hope, they cannot undo the devastation that has already occurred. Tens of thousands of lives have been lost, entire families erased. The Gaza Strip lies in ruins, rendered nearly uninhabitable. The psychological scars to the Palestinian people, and to the Israeli people, will echo through generations. We must also not lose sight of a painful truth: over the past two years, the actions of the Israeli government have consistently pointed toward a singular, harrowing objective—the systematic destruction of Palestinian life in Gaza.

Excellencies,

Last month, we published a legal analysis of Israel’s conduct in the Gaza Strip pursuant to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. We concluded that the State of Israel is responsible for the commission of four genocidal acts in Gaza with the specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza, as such. The Commission also found that the Israeli President, Prime Minister and former Defence Minister have incited the commission of genocide. A summary of these findings is included in the report presented to you today.

In addition to findings on genocide, the report before you examines violations and developments related to land and housing in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and in Israel.

In relation to Gaza, we found that Israeli officials have demonstrated a clear and consistent intent to establish permanent military control over Gaza and to change its demographic composition.

Civilian infrastructure and natural resources essential to the survival of the civilian population have been destroyed in the corridors and buffer zone, the territory fragmented, and Palestinians were forcibly transferred. Israeli officials have publicly endorsed plans for the deportation of the population, the construction of settlements and annexation of the territory.

Although the ceasefire may put on hold the implementation of Israel’s territorial goals in Gaza, the territorial changes made to the Gaza Strip have yet to be reversed, and recent statements by Israeli officials make it clear that these objectives remain firmly in place. This continued rhetoric underscores our deep and ongoing concern.

In the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli policies and actions implemented since October 2023 – including explicit and implicit support for criminal actions of violent settlers – demonstrate clear intent to forcibly transfer Palestinians, expand Israeli Jewish civilian presence and annex the majority of the West Bank. The purpose is to prevent any potential Palestinian self-determination and statehood and maintain an indefinite occupation.

Moreover, the geographical landscape of Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps has been significantly altered by Israeli forces through the destruction of civilian buildings and infrastructure and the displacement of Palestinian residents.

In relation to land and housing in Israel, successive Israeli Governments have implemented laws and policies intended to diminish Palestinian space. Additionally, informal barriers resulting from socio-economic inequalities between the two populations have grown and become entrenched over decades, further preventing integration.

Our report also identified six Israeli ministers as likely bearing the most responsibility for international crimes relating to land and housing, as well as other crimes identified in the Commission’s previous reports, including responsibility for the crime of genocide.

Excellencies,

Genocide is one of the most heinous international crimes. It destroys in whole or in part groups of people based on race, ethnicity, nationality or religion. It not only erases the identity of the group, but it leaves behind intergenerational trauma that causes permanent scars on humanity.

It pains me that, on my last presentation as Chair of this Commission, the post-World War II multi-lateral system has failed to prevent this genocide. The international system has been found wanting.

I urge Member States to use all reasonably available means to ensure the continued cessation of hostilities and a broad international support to Palestinian right to self-determination and Palestinian statehood.

Member States should also turn their attention towards ensuring justice and accountability for all victims, through supporting the International Criminal Court in its investigations, using universal jurisdiction to conduct their own investigations, including of their dual nationals who are suspected to have committed crimes.

My last plea is about transitional justice, which has seemed an impossible idea in recent years. It is, however, only through truth and reconciliation that peace can eventually take root and flourish.

Thank you.

To learn more about Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council and the Question of Palestine, click here to visit the dedicated webpage.

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Document Type: Statement
Document Sources: Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory
Subject: Armed conflict, Convention: Genocide, Gaza Strip, Genocide, Human rights and international humanitarian law, Jerusalem, Settlements, West Bank
Publication Date: 28/10/2025
URL source: https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2025/10/statement-navi-pillay-chair-commission-inquiry-occupied-2