Complicity warning for firms supplying Israeli military
South Africa has encouraged the country to join the international cause against Israel, while Australia has been called on to take a stronger stance to prevent genocide in Gaza.
Former United Nations high commissioner for human rights Navi Pillay has warned that defense companies could face sanctions if they ignore the atrocities in Gaza by continuing to export weapons parts used by the Israeli army.
“I will give them a firm warning: Be careful what you do, because one day you may face charges of complicity in genocide,” the prominent international lawyer told Canberra’s National Press Club on Tuesday.
The United Nations commission of inquiry chaired by Ms. Pillay concluded that Israel committed genocide in Gaza.
Israel has denied all accusations of genocide and accused the UN of having an anti-Israeli bias.
His edict was issued on the same day that hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters marched outside a maritime defense forum in Sydney, which included Israeli arms manufacturers and firms supplying that country’s military.
Australian companies supply parts for the F-35 fighter jet used by the Israeli army, but the federal government insists it does not export weapons to Israel.
In its defense, it is stated that the components are part of the jet’s global supply chain.
South Africa’s acting high commissioner to Australia, Leonard Khoza, has called on the federal government to join his country’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
International law expert Don Rothwell explained that intervening in a case would allow Australia to make a submission on how the genocide convention should be interpreted and still maintain a degree of neutrality.
Mr Khoza said the foreign secretary raised the issue with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong on the sidelines of the G20 in February and tried to raise it again after Labor was re-elected in May but was unable to get a phone call.
“As many countries as possible, not just Australia, will support the cause,” he told AAP.
“We hope it’s only a matter of time before Australia realizes it needs to make a bold decision on this issue.”
The acting high commissioner welcomed Australia’s recognition of Palestine in line with the majority of the international community, defying pressure from the US and Israel to vote for the UN resolution.
Ms Pillay said people could not say they did not know about the atrocities in Gaza because the horrors were being broadcast live and the International Court of Justice had issued an interim ruling on the possibility of genocide.
Ms. Pillay said that evidence of Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 was also preserved, and that the killings and hostage-taking constituted war crimes.
According to Israeli records, the designated terrorist group killed 1,200 people and took another 250 hostage.
According to Gaza health officials, more than 65,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the Israeli counter-offensive; Israel is violating international law by blocking aid and medical supplies throughout the campaign.
This includes more than 20,000 children in Gaza, according to Save the Children.
