Exploring the ICRC’s role in Israel-Palestine conflict
In 1967, after the 6 days of war, the UN asked the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), a Swiss group, to shed light on the legal status of territories Israel had taken. The United Nations also asked the ICRC to give their opinion about the territories like the West Bank. The International Committee of the Red Cross decided that Israel violated the international rules and called these areas Occupied Palestinian Territory. The international community also stands in favor of this decision. However, the reasons behind this decision were kept secret at that time.
Later on, the ICRC said that this decision was based on an old rule from 1907 about occupation. But it ignored one of the important parts of these rules. According to this, the occupation is only legal when the occupier takes over from a rightful power. Since Jordan and Egypt were not the rightful rulers of these areas, Israel’s action might not violate international law.
The international community’s past decisions, like the San Remo conference in 1920, which supported the view of a “Jewish national home” in Palestine greatly support Israel’s claim. At that time, there wasn’t a Palestinian state, and there still isn’t one now.
What is the issue of occupation?
The term “occupation” in The Hague Regulations and the FGC is meant for countries, not “Palestinians.” The International Committee of the Red Cross plays an important role in the United Nations and has not used its rules for other disputed areas.
The United Nations Security Council Resolution 242(1967) discusses the territories occupied in the ongoing conflict. However, it does not clearly highlight which territories or who they belong to. Furthermore, in the resolution, there is no word like Palestinian. Later on, the resolution of the United Nations that is according to the ICRC’s decision talked about “Palestinian and other Arab territories.” As their records are kept secret, these decisions do not have real legal power.
A study by the former High Court Justice Edmund Levy and others looked deeply at the claims of Israel. However it seems like the International Community mostly does not focus on this detailed research.
The ICRC’s decisions have confused the issue of Israel’s rightful land claims and unfairly criticized Israel. The committee seems to have wanted to deny Israel’s historical ties to the land by focusing on controversial topics like Palestinian self-determination, a Palestinian state, and ending the occupation.
The Israeli government, especially under the Labor Party, made things worse by agreeing to the Oslo Accords, which gave the PLO legitimacy. Later, leaders Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert made almost all the concessions the PLO asked for, including withdrawing to the 1949 Armistice Lines, hoping the PLO would recognize Israel. But the PLO refused and continued to attack Israel. Furthermore, Israel supported the PLO, Hamas, and other militant groups, which allowed Hamas and the Islamic Jihad to take control of Gaza.
It seems that Israeli leaders misunderstand the threat from Iran. This nation wants to completely destroy Israel using proxies. This issue is also connected with the ICRC, this committee is currently working against Israel with the help of the International Community. Some Israelis are also pushing for a quick ceasefire and rebuilding Gaza. It particularly included those who were involved in the Oslo Accords.
The ICRC’s actions, like declaring the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), seem to prevent Israelis from building beyond the 1949 Armistice Lines and block peace with Arab states. Their support for Palestinian nationalism appears to ensure that Israel faces constant terrorism and international criticism, especially from Europe.
Recently, the ICRC has been criticized for hiring people who dislike Jews and Israel and for not helping Israeli hostages taken to hospitals on October 7. They didn’t alert Israeli authorities, leading to more criticism.
