ICJ: Written statement of the Union of Comoros – Obligations of Israel in relation to the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organizations and Third States in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory

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04 March 2025

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VIII. CONCLUSION

156. The analysis provided in this statement highlights the many violations of international law committed by Israel with regard to the Palestinian people and the United Nations bodies operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. As an occupying Power, Israel must respect its obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law alike. However, the forced cessation of UNRWA’s activities and its hampering of humanitarian assistance constitute serious breaches of those obligations, thereby directly compromising the survival and well-being of the Palestinian population.

157. By hindering the operations of United Nations agencies and terminating the essential services provided by UNRWA, Israel is violating fundamental rights such as those to life, health, education and an adequate standard of living. Moreover, these actions form part of a wider policy to deny the Palestinian people its right to self-determination, in breach of Israel’s international commitments and of the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

158. The Union of the Comoros considers that the seriousness of these breaches goes beyond their immediate humanitarian consequences, as part of a broader pattern of systematically depriving the Palestinian people of its rights. Hindering humanitarian assistance and shutting down institutions like UNRWA that guarantee fundamental rights will lead to a situation where the civilian population faces untenable conditions, a situation which, under international criminal law, may be characterized as a crime against humanity and even a crime of genocide.

159. In this context, the Union of the Comoros takes the view that it falls to the international community, and in particular the competent organs of the United Nations, to take the necessary steps to ensure that Israel respects its international obligations and to guarantee protection of the rights of the Palestinian people. Allowing the impunity from which Israel is benefiting to continue would call into question the whole system of international law and the values it is meant to uphold. Failing to tackle these breaches would not only set a dangerous precedent under international law, but also compromise any prospect of peace and justice for the Palestinian people. Hence, the responsibility of the international community goes beyond condemnation in words: it calls for practical action to hold Israel responsible and put an end to these repeated breaches.

160. To conclude, the Union of the Comoros respectfully requests the Court to find that (i) it has jurisdiction to give the advisory opinion requested and that there are no “compelling reasons” for it to decline to do so; (ii) the forced cessation of the activities of the United Nations, including those of UNRWA and of other international organizations and third States in the Occupied Palestinian Territory constitutes a breach of Israel’s obligations as a member of the United Nations; (iii) this forced cessation constitutes a breach of Israel’s obligations as an occupying Power, and (iv) entails implementation of Israel’s international responsibility.

161. The Union of the Comoros reserves the right, where necessary, to revise, supplement or modify the wording of this Written statement and the arguments set out above, in the light of any documents that may subsequently be produced.

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