Amnesty International offices across the globe presented on Tuesday Israeli occupation authorities with petitions signed by more than 200,000 individuals, demanding that they cease the demolition of Palestinian homes in order to begin undoing apartheid.
The petition, “Demolish Apartheid, Not Palestinian Homes,” launched by Amnesty International and addressed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been signed by individuals from a minimum of 174 nations.
On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, signatures are being put forth in honor of the 69 individuals who peacefully opposed apartheid in South Africa and lost their lives as a result of a police shooting on March 21st, 1960.
Heba Morayef, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, has explained that Israel‘s discriminatory planning policies and demolition of Palestinian homes reveal the racism in their oppressive apartheid system.
For many years, Israeli authorities have attempted to meet their prejudiced goals by pushing Palestinians away from their homes and properties.
In the early months of 2023, over four hundred Palestinians have been displaced due to demolitions and an excess of hundreds of thousands more are in danger of displacement.
“Apartheid is a crime against humanity and a grave human rights violation. The ongoing failure to hold Israeli authorities accountable is a stain on the conscience of the international community. Today, Amnesty International’s demand for an end to this injustice is backed by 203,410 people from countries all over the world. This solidarity is a reminder that the chorus of voices speaking out against Israel’s apartheid is growing steadily louder. We will not be silent until apartheid has been dismantled and Israeli authorities held to account.”
Amnesty International also asked for member states of the UN Human Rights Council to back resolutions and decisions that will put an end to the Israeli apartheid during the Council‘s session.
Amnesty said that states must also fulfill their legal obligations and make efforts to hold the Israeli occupation responsible for its infringements, including its Universal Periodic Review which will occur at the Human Rights Council on the 9th of May. This consists of reviving financing for the UN database on companies that take part in activities in or with unlawful settlements.
Amnesty International once again urged all countries to put pressure on the Israeli occupation to cease home demolitions, forced displacements, and expansions of settlements; to end the blockade of the Gaza Strip; and to no longer tolerate unlawful attacks on Palestinians by the Israeli occupation forces and settlers.
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