Arab League Urges ICC Action Against Israeli War Crimes

The Arab League has reaffirmed its full support for international legal efforts to hold Israeli officials accountable for war crimes committed in the occupied Palestinian territories. The statement came during the opening of a two-day seminar hosted at the League’s headquarters in Cairo under the title: "The Role of the International Criminal Court in Prosecuting Israeli Occupation Crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories."

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, in remarks delivered on his behalf by Assistant Secretary-General Saeed Abu Ali, condemned what he described as a “systematic genocide” being carried out by Israeli forces in Gaza. He accused the international community of silent complicity through its failure to act, stating that the atrocities “drag humanity back to an era of barbarism.”

Aboul Gheit emphasized that crimes such as ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, settlement expansion, and racial discrimination have persisted against the Palestinian people since the 1948 Nakba and are central to the Israeli occupation’s long-standing policies.

According to the Secretary-General, more than 250,000 Palestinians have been killed, injured, arrested, or reported missing since the Israeli military operation began on October 7, 2023. Over 80% of Gaza has been destroyed, with similar atrocities taking place in the West Bank, including executions, mass arrests, and large-scale displacement, especially in refugee camps such as Jenin, Nur Shams, and Tulkarem.

The Arab League has actively supported the legal track through participation in ICJ hearings, the formation of fact-finding committees, and the establishment of special legal and media units to document war crimes. Among its key efforts are the report “100 Days of War on Gaza” and a stream of daily legal briefings.

Aboul Gheit called for Israeli war criminals to be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court, urging an end to impunity. He appealed to international human rights organizations and governments to intensify efforts and respect the decisions of international justice.

He concluded by welcoming the upcoming UN-sponsored Two-State Solution Conference, hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, and praised France’s position on recognizing the State of Palestine. He reaffirmed that a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital remains the only path to lasting peace in the region.