Rights group calls on G7 leaders to sanction Israel officials News
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Rights group calls on G7 leaders to sanction Israel officials

Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Thursday called for the G7 leaders to denounce and sanction Israeli officials for recent actions in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. The call came days ahead of the G7 summit to be held in Kananaskis, Canada.

The HRW letter called on leaders to use the summit to focus their attention on preventing further human rights abuses and atrocities in both Gaza and the West Bank by encouraging the adoption of sanctions on Israel. Measures listed “targeted sanctions against Israeli officials,” an arms embargo, and a reevaluation of bilateral agreements with Israel, with the potential of suspending them.

In a statement issued Friday, HRW Chief Advocacy Officer Bruno Stagno noted contradictory behavior of many G7 nations that have effectively given Israel a “green light” to continue its campaign of “killing, starvation and forced displacement of its people.” Stagno raised concerns over the selectivity of enforcing international law.

Additionally, HRW accused Israel of going against the legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by “obstructing the entry of lifesaving aid and services into Gaza.”

The Israel-Hamas War has been ongoing for nearly two years. In that time, both sides have been accused of war crimes by the UN. Human rights groups have called out the crimes against humanity and acts of genocide, which they claim are being committed.

On July 19, 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision on the genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel stated that Israel is obligated to prevent genocide as per the Genocide Convention. Preventing the entry of life-saving supplies can qualify as a violation of the convention as it can contribute to conditions of life deemed to bring the destruction of a group based on “national, ethnic, or religious” considerations.

In 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as for Mohammed Deif, a Hamas military leader, and the deceased Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh.

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