UN official demands ‘arms embargo’ against Israel, calls Gaza situation ‘risk of genocide’

By Muhammet Ikbal Arslan

GENEVA (AA) - The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders proposed imposing an “arms embargo” on Israel in response to attacks in the Gaza Strip.

“We have to allow humanitarian aid in there and also there has to be an arms embargo,” Mary Lawlor told Anadolu about the situation in Gaza, rights violations and steps countries should take to stop Israel's bombardment.

“In my view, any of the states that are fueling this conflict by supplying arms to Israel just have to stop because Israel is not seeing any sense at the moment,” she said.

Lawlor said she has been closely monitoring the situation in Gaza since Oct. 7 and condemned attacks carried out by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.

She stated that there are “exhausted, besieged and helpless” people in Gaza. “It is very terrible that Gazans have been repeatedly told to go to a safe place. This ended in the city of Rafah. Now people have been told to go elsewhere and they have nowhere to go. They're living in the most horrendous conditions, but they don't have enough food. They don't have the medicine they need. Half of Gaza's population is currently in Rafah. Now how is that ever right? No matter what your position is, where you come from, or your strategic or political interests, how can you justify the killing the mothers of so many little children and women?’’

Following developments in Rafah, Lawor said there is a need to “ensure a cease-fire,” and humanitarian aid should be allowed to enter Gaza.

“(In Gaza) Technically, Israel as an occupying power shouldn't be waging a war against an occupied territory,” said Lawlor.

She pointed out that while the world is aware of what is going on in Gaza, countries are unable or unwilling to intervene.

Stressing that the UN Relief and Public Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is the only organization serving Gazans, schools and hospitals in the enclave, Lawlor said Israel is “reversing the funding to UNRWA. It's madness.”

“The investigation into the allegations against UNRWA is ongoing. Such desperate people should not be allowed to become victims of the political mass between states,” she said, referencing Israeli allegations that staffers at the UN agency were involved in a Hamas attack against Israel on Oct. 7.

Noting that the decision on genocide is made by courts and experts, Lawlor said it is determined based on behavior, war crimes and genocidal intent, while the situation in Gaza is currently being examined by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Lawlor stressed that the UN court will decide on the situation in Gaza.

“Whether (the decision) is genocide or not, but I am saying there is a risk of genocide (in Gaza.),” she said.

Noting that countries bear a great responsibility for stopping Israel's attacks on Gaza, she said: “States such as the United States, EU countries and the United Kingdom, which influence Israel, have a very important role. It is unacceptable for countries to abstain or veto resolutions at the UN Security Council. To me, this cannot be forgiven.’’

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi in Istanbul