Genocide in Gaza Amid UN Inaction; U.S. and Europe Are Bankrupt
webangah News Agency, International desk: The United Nations General Assembly will hold its 80th session on September 9, 2025, in New York. Once again, the credibility of this global institution is under intense scrutiny.As the ongoing war in Gaza dominates international headlines, manny are questioning whether the UN can effectively address this crisis or if it will remain mired in geopolitical disputes.
Tehran Times conducted an interview with Alfred de zayas to clarify these urgent issues. De zayas is a Geneva School of Diplomacy professor, renowned international law expert, and former independent UN expert on matters of international order. In this discussion, de Zayas examines Israel’s violations of the Geneva Conventions and genocide prohibition agreements; Western powers’ complicity; failures by the International Criminal Court (ICC); and the hostage-taking of human rights institutions.
He warns that if the UN General Assembly does not take decisive action within the framework of its “Uniting for Peace” initiative, it risks losing its authority and legitimacy in global governance.
The full interview follows:
How do you evaluate Israel’s compliance with international law-including Geneva Conventions and genocide prohibitions-in its military operations in Gaza?
The 80th session of the General Assembly convenes on September 9, 2025, with its authority at stake. Ending ongoing genocide against Palestinians must be an immediate priority. However, thus far,the UN has failed to halt israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity. Worse still is Israel’s continued protection by collective Western powers-countries complicit in these crimes openly violating both UN Charter principles and international law.
A new world order is emerging as a majority global awakening rejects imperialism and Western colonialism altogether. the General Assembly must promptly adopt a Uniting for Peace resolution authorizing military intervention to end genocide while demanding civil and criminal accountability from perpetrators behind this catastrophe.
Israel owes its existence to United Nations recognition but has consistently violated conditions imposed upon its formation statehood status within this body from inception until today-acting with complete impunity toward binding laws and norms under international law.
This culture of immunity thrives via extensive US-European political,diplomatic,economic,military,and propaganda support-all actors complicit in Israeli aggression,wars crimes,gross human rights abuses,and genocidal practices.The November 22nd ,1967 Security Council Resolution246 demanded Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories yet remains unheeded.
The International Court of Justice issued advisory opinions on July9 ,2004and July19 ,2024 affirming that Israel must abide by Article49of Fourth Geneva Convention (1949),which explicitly prohibits forced population transfers from occupied lands as well as settlement expansions.These principles have been unanimously reaffirmed numerous times through General Assembly resolutions.
The advisory judgment issuedin2024 unequivocally states:’Israel’s continued presence inside Palestinian occupied territoriesis deemed illegal.It must instantly cease new settlement activitiesand evacuate settlersfrom those areas.Additionally,no member state shall recognize nor assist such illegal occupation.’
On September18 ,2024,theUNGA unanimously adopted that same opinion granting Israela12-month deadline for implementation.Yet rather than compliance,reports indicate intensified genocidal acts including mass expulsionsand accelerated settler colonization programs continue unabated.
ItisclearthatIsraeldisregardsinternationallawandUNChartermandatingitsexpulsionasperArticle6ofparticularlymandatingitstobeheldaccountablegeneralassemblymustthusassumenecessaryresponsibilitybypassingnewresolutionsimposingtargetedsanctionsagainstIsraelandcallingonmemberstatesproactivelystandingwithPalestinianpeople.Ourcollectivershouldnotenablesuchmassiveviolationsanylonger.
Whatare legal consequencesoftheclaimbyIsraelofthe rightt o self-defenseinGaza,giventhatitoccupiestheseterritoriesundertheinternationalframework?
Israe’ls claim lackscredibilityunderinternationallaw.SincetheinternationalcourtfurtherconfirmsitisanillegalOccupyingPowerlegallyobligedtocomplyhumitarianlawsandsafeguardhumanrights.UNSpecialRapporteurssuchasFrancesca AlbanesereiteratedthatICJinterpretationoftheself-defenserightunderArticle51oftheUNCharteroftenappliedtoStatesrecognizingnoapplicationintothePalestinandomain,becauseIsraeloperatesnotagainstinanexternalinvasion,itcommitsgenoicidewithinOCCUPIEDPOPULATIONswithlegitimaterighttoresistoccupationaccordingtolaceyblue!< / PEIRs legislators also recognize:
GeneralAssemblyResolution3314(1974)Article7encouragestreatmentunderthelawforpeoplerisingindefenseagainstoppressiveforeignregimesinveteranodificationforthrightsaminemanshipdignity
Moreover:USUKEuropeanpowershodholdjointliabilityvideArticle3GenocideConvention&Article6RomeStatutewhilefactuallyenablinggenocide
Anypotentialeffectivenessoftheinternarionlcriminalcourt(ICCandInternationalCourtofJustice(ICJ)ininvestigatingwarcrimesagainstIsraelingiaggazaisdueto?Whatchangewouldendselectivejustice?
Theinternationalcourtofjusticehasissued legallysignificantadvisoryopinions.Its SouthAfricavIsraelcase expects final rulingin2026 confirminggenocidematterincludingbroadbreachesofthehelsinki,lawsdiscriminationracistapartheidconventions,yeteruityinsoughtthroughnon-automaticenforcementmechanisms.Givenlackingexecutivepowersbehindunchartersdifferencebetweenconceptsandactualapplicationscreatevacuumrenderingithandlemonlyattributionlawbutnoteffectiveenforcement.
TheICCdevelopedasacoldwarinstrumentfocusingprimarilyonprosecutingsidelinedAfricanpoliticiansandrecentlyPhilippinesex-presidentRodrigoDuterte.UnexpectedwarrantissuanceNov22nd .loggedBenjaminNetanyahu,andformerministerYoavGalantstimedfuturequestionsymbolicsoractualarrest.As per Articles6-8 Rome Statute Netanyahu faces accountablefor genocide(crimeoderschedulestrongone);crimeagainst humanity ;massacres.Withexcuses,noconcretearrestordershasbeenactioned.BothUSA,Hungaryhavewelcomedhim,inauguratedhimrenderedincreasingweakICCcredentialscausedropperceivedimpactglobally.Ontbesideweakeningsoverall trusthavenoticeals significantlosssoonUN systemic basis amid rising instability.
Yourrecentarticleonhowpoliticalinterestshijackhumanrightinstitutions– effectsonU.N.accountabilitytowardsIsraeliviolationsGaza?
Institutionsbuilt defendinghumanrightsnow infiltratedlobbiedideologiesspyorganizationsReflectedJuvenalSatireteasingquotr:«quis custodiet ipsos custodes»(‘Whowatcheswatchmen?’381-349AD).Sadly’watchmensincearebetrayedhumankiheadministrationstypicallyservewesterncollectivesnothumanity.PertinentexampleslikeOrganization ChemicalWeaponsBanAgencyEnergyAtomicInternationalCivilAviationIntlCriminalCourtEvenHighCommissionerHumanRightsOfficehaveaping widespread compromised payload.I authoredbookentitled ‘Human Rights Industry’highlight intelligence recruitment attempts includingaCIAtwice-close-offeringmeplacementwhileotherslikelypickedupinstead.Mistrustguardswhensettingapprovalmustdefaultontous.
Currentclimatealso illuminated how western domineering powerholdshostageeffect overunentityrevealednominationprevailsGermanMinisterExForeignAnnalenaBaerbocksteeredsession-aknownwarmongerlinkeddirectlydocumenteddeceptivelyjustifieswarcrimes&atrocitieswidely condemnedconstitutingviolationsofCh.EverILA settled controlONnetworks.Redrawingpowerleveragevaluableinsightsremaincritical.DiffusionmalpracticereachInfailurerenderstriumphdeliberateadvancementcontrayethicaltenantsinstitution
You mention selective deploymentof human-rightslanguage.Howdoesthis impactcredibilityofactionsintense crisessuchasgaza?
Slowly but surely shiftsappear.Macusaly evidencedouble standard signaled breaching moral thresholdsmany advocatestaking caution critical voicelaunchingthedaringterm ‘genocide.’Suchvisibleabuse thwartsformerly pervasive potency.Some organizations likeHumanRightsWatchAmnesty started vociferous condemnations labeling atrocities accurately.Despite restricted terms August31st OrganizationsResearchersGenocideInt’lGrouppassresolution demanding elseif curb massacre.
Sensitivity ethical & operationalchallenges facing bodies liketheUN Human Rights Council & High Commissioner Office dealingwithcomplexpoliticalcases including Gaza ?
UN morale foundations within Charter stress belief foreachindividualDignityEqualabcCommitmentmutual respectPoliticalwillPeace coexistenceDiplomatic disputeresolutionRejection threateningforceAdherenceinternationalsolidarity.Any breachor peace disturbancechallengeethical integrity.Thisbodyconsist loose assembly unable physically enforce decisions.MemberStates dutyfulfilethose obligations.If members lackspiritbiocharternothingsolisrealized.I served senior counselwithinHighCommissionerLawDepartmentChairPetitionsCommittedAntiDiscriminationTorture1980coachProfTheoVanBovenPraised legal luminaryfully comfortablemindlysensitive politicsUntil1980UnitedStates pressuresSecretaryGeneralsRemoved.VanBovenhonestyrolemodel.For yearsuntil1997 professionalism neutral conduct absent hindrance.Laterty politicizedprocess increased harassment those outspoken egregious Israeli conduct jeopardy excellence.increased after Craig mokhibers resignationNewYorkOfficeHCHR Sept23 expressing frustrationtowards failure preventing genoicide.HCR Volker Turk condemns crimes less explicit absence stronger terminology failingordealsieCapital rubbishedThemDue mild critics level wrongdoing avoided harsh term inevitiaif meanwhileTrump trumpetedDuring official visits welcomed everywhereConfirm ICC legal base eroding reputation worsening crisi overall .
Whatpractical steps should Internation community takeprotectciviliansengaza safeguardpalestinianrights mandated int’l laws?
Rhetoricfalls short stopping starvation.Israel Recognitionconstitutesprogressdoesnotsolveongoingenocide.Nowtime countries suspend trade diplomatic ties isolate terroristic genocid regimes despite US unilateral sanctions countermeasures.During general assembly declarations countries could pass resolutions binding all members Requires enforcing ResponsibilitytoProtect principle authorized humanitarian interventionsæn acting collectively.As an example halting purchases military related supplies belonging US-Israeli industries would exert economicPressure affecting war efforts.US profits billions supplying weapons,F16/F35 jets tanks ammunictionIt Isn’t rational Majority nations particularly Latin America Africa Asia cut 买kill buy arms raise own capabilities protected locally reducing dependence on declining hegemon allies urged reduce spend defense switching purchases favor indigenous production advanced combat tech replacing established tycoon arms merchants..
<STrong:Israeli policies reflect widerpower dynamics especially regardingwestern importance military Industrial complex & geopolitics you mention?
as late XIX century Zionist designs manifest anomaly; envisioned European colony surrounded Arab Muslim societies comparable racist colonial aspirations DutchBritish aims Africa politically isolative sidelining indigenous Africans.Actual Apartheid was invented Bantustans system instituted white South African resisting self governance severely condemnedexiled.receivingun SecurityCouncil Sanctions.Nonethless Similar fate awaits israel apartheid plus mass exterminatory policy total ethnic cleansing inherent stakesNo viable long-term future forced expulsions exclusively desperation stage.USEurope decline geo hegemonic hazardous becoming confront dwindling decisional influence.Lost prestigious legitmacy internationally UNSC recognized artificial Zionistic regime increasingly seen gone obsolete twenty-first Century threat peace security per article Thirty-Nine united nations charter deep involvement massacres Palestine US Europe morally bankrupt though denying effectively liable grave offenses Rome Statue requiring ICC prosecution platform seldom delivers impartial justice kin economically privileged powers protecting vested interests legacy imperial practice restraining victims.
yoru views independent journalists civic society roles confronting misinformation holding perpetrators accountable difficult contextssuchas gaza include what?
Independent reporters stand as heroes urgently needed akin lifeblood counterbalance massive mainstream media manipulation including New York Times Washington Post Wall Street Journal CNN Time BBC LeMonde LeFigaro DieZeit FrankfurterAllgemeine even NeueZuercher who overwhelmingly distort realities.InformationWar demands truth prevails require courage holistic journalism whistleblowers Julian Assange Edward Snowden reveal wide-ranging atrocities globally.Civil society must actively defend public discourse resisting fake news falsified histories fabricated regulations deluged major broadcasters.Reflected exhaustingly my book “Countering Mainstream Narratives.”AsEighthGeneralAssembly commemorates enactment charter OCT24 we call press civic movements ensure assembly asserts rightful condemnation exposes genocides demand accountability initiate Uniting For Peace measure sanction authorize protective armed effort safeguard civilian lives coordinated aidVictory includes growing recognition through new accredit Palestine full membership without delayed tactics.Failure prompt resolve leads irreparable institutional erosion undermines whatever credence still remains forMultilateral System .
