Bogota: The United Nations special rapporteur for besieged Gaza and the occupied West Bank stated that it is time for nations globally to take concrete actions to halt the "genocide" occurring in the blockaded enclave. Francesca Albanese addressed delegates from 30 countries in Colombia's capital, discussing the alleged Israeli genocide in Gaza and exploring measures countries can implement to stop Israel's actions.
According to TRTworld.com, Albanese urged countries to "immediately review and suspend all ties with the State of Israel" and ensure that their private sectors follow suit. She highlighted that the Israeli economy is structured to sustain an occupation that has now become genocidal.
South Africa's ruling African National Congress has long compared Israel's policies in Gaza and the West Bank to its history of oppression under the apartheid regime, which restricted most Blacks to "homelands" before its end in 1994.
The meeting coincides with the European Union contemplating measures against Israel, such as a ban on imports from Israeli illegal settlements, an arms embargo, and individual sanctions against Israeli officials hindering a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Mauricio Jaramillo, Colombia's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressed that the nations participating in the Bogota meeting, including Qatar and Türkiye, would discuss diplomatic and judicial actions to increase pressure on Israel to cease its attacks. Jaramillo emphasized that the issue extends beyond Palestine, stating, "It is about defending international law… and the right to self-determination."
Reports indicate that Israel has killed over 58,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, during its actions in Gaza. According to Palestine's official WAFA news agency, around 11,000 Palestinians are feared buried under the rubble of destroyed homes. Experts suggest the actual death toll could be around 200,000, significantly higher than reported by Gaza authorities.
Throughout the conflict, Israel has devastated much of the enclave, displacing nearly its entire population. The nation has also obstructed the entry of essential humanitarian aid, permitting only a controversial US-backed aid group, established to bypass UN aid efforts and criticized as a "death trap."