Statement on war in Israel & Palestine

The United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY) and its members are calling for an immediate ceasefire, the safeguarding of civilians, and the upholding of international humanitarian law in Israel and Palestine. The current escalation can not be removed from decades of unlawful occupation of Palestinian Territories. Recent developments risk compromising all efforts for a peaceful resolution and have already resulted in a grave humanitarian crisis.

UNOY condemns the crimes inflicted upon the Palestinian people in Gaza through deprivation of basic necessities, bombings and siege. These acts, committed by the Israeli Government in full view of the world, are in grave violation of international law and amount to genocide.

UNOY also condemns the violence and kidnappings of civilians carried out by Hamas which are also a grave breach of international humanitarian law. 

The loss of lives and the humanitarian crisis, particularly in the Gaza Strip, is now more than ever, a deeply distressing and tragic situation. The impact of the conflict on civilian populations, including the targeting of residential areas, families, and essential infrastructure such as water, electricity, food, and fuel, is a clear violation of human rights. The sustained violence and deprivation experienced by the people of Gaza are indicative of a humanitarian crisis that demands urgent attention and resolution. Disproportionate use of force by Israel, particularly in densely populated areas, exacerbates the human toll and intensifies the suffering of civilians, especially young people and children. Severe restrictions on basic necessities like water, electricity, internet access, and food further compound the challenges faced by the people living in Gaza.

The situation is further worsened by the spread of disinformation and dehumanization including in statements from world leaders. Hate speech is contributing to the escalation of tensions and is exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis. This includes governments prosecuting the right to protest and self-expression. Addressing hate speech and disinformation requires a collective effort from the international community to promote transparency, fact-checking, reliable reporting, and holding leaders accountable. World leaders, media outlets, reporters and social media platforms, in particular, carry a significant responsibility to communicate information accurately and responsibly, avoiding statements that may contribute to the perpetuation of falsehoods or inflame further hate, that take the shape of calls for the eradication of the Palestinians and fueling a ‘pre-genocide’ state.

The deliberate targeting of civilians and protected areas under international law must cease immediately. 

Accordingly:

• We call on the international community to stop the blood-shed by actively calling for a ceasefire and lifting of the siege on Gaza.
• We call upon the Government of the United States of America to desist from providing military aid to the Israeli Defence Forces.
• We request the International Criminal Court to launch an investigation into the current crimes committed.
• We call for the release of all remaining hostages by Hamas as well as those arbitrarily detained by Israel.
• We urge the United Nations Security Council to uphold their mandate and defend human rights of all civilians, youth, women, men, children and elderly.
• We call on media outlets to avoid spreading misinformation on the conflict and represent facts accurately.
• We call for an immediate stop to the attacks and bombings of residential areas and adoption of legally binding decisions to halt the crimes committed daily against civilians.
• Additionally, we demand the implementation of international resolutions, especially UNSCR 2250, UNSCR 1325 and resolutions issued by the Security Council related to peace and security.
• We call for the immediate intervention to secure protection and organization of urgent humanitarian relief operations for the Palestinian people in Gaza, taking into account the needs of the young people and young peace-builders. Youth are at the center point of the atrocities and their contributions remain crucial in the humanitarian relief and peacebuilding processes.

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Our regional and global community of young peacebuilders stands in solidarity with those affected by violence.

Will you join us? Add your signature via this form with your name and organisation.

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SIGNED

Vera Al-Mawla – UNOY Regional Coordinator of Middle East & North Africa

Fabio Daniele – Sustainable Cooperation for Peace & Security

Jules KIMA/ SUUDU ANDAL Association from Burkina Faso

South Youth Organization

Brisky Fanuel Ncube, Community Solutions Zimbabwe

Sanjiboni Sudha, Inclusive Bangladesh

WE organization NL

Somaliland Youth Development And Voluntary Organization

Elisa Shafiqah binti Shahrilnizam, Malaysian Youth Diplomacy

Djimy kirimunda de l’organisation vision global d’orientation des Jeunes

Emily Miki, Denis Miki Foundation

Gautam Sharma (Youth Network for Peace and Development, Mahottari, Nepal)

Leonardo Párraga – Fundación BogotArt

Free Palestine – Yasmeen Abo Salah

Rahma Ismail Ali United Network of Youth for Peace and Diplomacy UNYPD

Mahdi Yahya from Peace of Art

Celina Del Felice, independent consultant, former UNOY coordinator (2003-2006)

FATHIMA MINHA FAROOK

Ana Elvira Garcia Lopez

John Mukhuta Muhiana Représentant Fondateur de la Fondation de la Paix Mondiale RDCongo Afrique

Donna-Marie Fry – Independent

Maria Kooijman

Bayoush – Egyptian Citizen

Robin and SCB

Sameer, India. No Borders Consultancy Pvt Ltd.

Dania- University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Muhammed Mbye New Future Foundation inc. The Gambia

Peace mentors / zfz

Yvonne Abrafi Manu ( Young Builders Initiative-Gh)

Andi Rabiaj Youth Voice Network of Organisations

Women Volunteers for Peace (WOVOP) – Grace Orao

PRA

Arya Bhaskara Ferduzi – Indonesia Youth Esperanto Organization

faiqa

Yoal Gatkuoth (Chànge De Gatkuoth), Pan – African Peacemakers Alliance (PAPA), South Sudan

Muneeb Salman

THE CENTER OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW & HUMAN RIGHTS

ELINA_USB

DARB

Ludmila Dias Andrade

Shafaq Sarfraz- Sehar Institute

Fundació Catalunya Voluntària

Aroa Carmona – Casal de Joves de Sant Just Desvern

Hiba Ikram – Beydaar Society (Pakistan)

Syed Ammar Ali

Ammar Ali – Beydaar Society

Natalia Peláez – Fundación LATIR

Ifrah Ahmed ( SOYDAVO

George Biesmans

Jenny (Young Interfaith Peacemaker Community Indonesia)