Ex-Human Rights Watch Chief urges pressure to halt 'Israel' arms sales

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Feb 2024 10:30
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Roth advocated for a global economic boycott of "Israel and emphasized the need to halt "Tel Aviv's" attacks on Rafah.

Kenneth Roth, speaking at a conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York on January 14, 2020. (AFP)

Kenneth Roth, the former Director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), has called for international pressure to cease military aid and arms sales to the Israeli government.

Roth further advocated for a global economic boycott of "Israel and emphasized the need to halt "Tel Aviv's" attacks on Rafah, which is located along the border with Egypt, during an interview with Anadolu news agency.

"Israel must provide information to the court by February 23. It's unclear how they will defend themselves because they have not complied with the court's decision so far," said Roth, referring to an International Court of Justice directive issued on January 26, instructing "Israel" to promptly implement effective measures to facilitate the provision of urgently required services and humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.

Regarding the global boycott of Israeli products, Roth commented, "The issue is not private Israeli companies but the Israeli government. Pressure needs to be put on the Israeli government -- through war crimes charges and an end to military aid and arms sales."

'Hunger as a weapon of war'

Elsewhere in his remarks, Roth highlighted that the Israeli government is "using hunger as a weapon of war" to cause suffering among Palestinians.

He added that this constitutes a clear war crime and contradicts the International Court of Justice's directive in the genocide case, which mandates that "Israel" allows sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza, a requirement it is currently failing to meet.

Highlighting that about 1.4 million Palestinians, the majority of whom have been forced to relocate from different areas of Gaza, view Rafah as their "last refuge," Roth said, "Netanyahu had said he would develop an evacuation plan before attacking the city, but now he has attacked without any evacuation."

Roth voiced apprehension about the potential execution of a scheme to force Palestinians to undertake a unidirectional journey to Egypt following Israeli assaults on Rafah. He drew a parallel with al-Nakba when Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their land.

He further asserted that the assaults on Rafah, resulting in a significant number of civilian casualties, represent the most recent instances of "war crimes" perpetrated by "Israel". These include attacks on densely populated regions, aiming at health services during emergencies, incapacitating hospitals, and obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza's civilians, who are teetering on the brink of starvation.

He noted that the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, is conducting an open investigation into the Israeli atrocities. "We are all eagerly awaiting war crime charges,” he said.

Roth also pointed out that the investigation is increasing pressure on US President Joe Biden to halt or at least condition an annual $3.8 billion military aid and arms sales to "Israel".

US prepares new arms shipment to 'Israel': Reports

The Biden administration is reportedly getting ready to provide additional bombs and weaponry to "Israel", expanding its military capabilities, despite alleged "ongoing efforts by the US to facilitate a ceasefire in Gaza", according to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal.

A US official, as quoted by the newspaper, mentioned that the proposal is currently undergoing an internal administration review and might undergo changes before being submitted to the congressional committee chiefs for approval.

The assessment reportedly stated that there are "no human rights concerns" associated with the deal, claiming that "Israel takes effective action to prevent gross violations of human rights and to hold security forces responsible that violate those rights. In the past, Israel has been a transparent partner in US investigations into allegations of defense article misuse."

Meanwhile, the Government Media Office in Gaza reported yesterday that the Israeli occupation forces have committed 2,503 massacres since the beginning of their aggression on the Gaza Strip, which has increased the number of Palestinians killed or missing since October 7 to 35,775.