UN Reports on Israel’s Classification of Palestinians as Security Threat

“Palestinians are racialized as a security threat, because they — we — refuse to disappear,” stated a prominent scholar during a United Nations event commemorating the seventy-seventh anniversary of the Nakba, or “catastrophe,” which marks the mass displacement of Palestinians in 1948. The meeting, organized by the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, highlighted the ongoing violence and displacement faced by Palestinians, particularly in Gaza. Scholars and officials discussed the implications of current events, drawing parallels between historical and contemporary injustices, and called for urgent international action.

Historical Context of the Nakba

The Nakba refers to the forced displacement and dispossession of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. This year’s commemoration was mandated by General Assembly resolution 77/23, which urges the UN to annually recognize this significant event. Palestinian-American scholar Noura Erekat, who spoke at the event, emphasized the ongoing nature of this tragedy, linking it to the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza. She criticized Israel’s narrative that its military actions are solely aimed at Hamas, arguing that Palestinian civilians are disproportionately affected. Erekat recounted harrowing incidents, including attacks on children and medical facilities, underscoring the severity of the situation. Her remarks highlighted the urgent need for the international community to recognize the plight of Palestinians as a humanitarian crisis rather than a mere political issue.

Calls for International Action

Erekat urged member states not to rely on the United States for moral or political leadership, citing its history of vetoing ceasefire resolutions. She called for a reevaluation of how the international community addresses the situation, suggesting that acknowledging Israel’s actions as genocide could lead to significant changes, such as imposing an arms embargo or severing diplomatic ties. She emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and providing humanitarian aid, urging delegates to take decisive action rather than remaining passive. The call for a humanitarian mission to protect Palestinian children resonated throughout the discussions, reflecting a growing consensus on the need for immediate intervention.

Palestinian Leadership and Responsibilities

Riyad H. Mansour, the Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine, echoed the sentiments expressed during the meeting. He read a statement from President Mahmoud Abbas, describing the Nakba as a “catastrophe of disasters” that involved numerous massacres and the forced displacement of Palestinians. Mansour asserted that the Nakba would not define the future of the Palestinian people, expressing readiness for the State of Palestine to assume full responsibilities in Gaza and the West Bank. He called for international recognition of Palestine and support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), emphasizing the need for humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts.

Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis and International Response

The meeting also addressed the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, described by Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, as a “humanitarian hellscape.” Since the escalation of violence, millions of Palestinians have been displaced, with over 52,000 reported dead in Gaza alone. The ongoing Israeli occupation has been deemed illegal by the International Court of Justice, yet it persists, leading to widespread violations of human rights. Delegates from various countries expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the realization of a two-state solution. The upcoming High-Level International Conference, set to be co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, was highlighted as a crucial opportunity to address the longstanding conflict and work towards a peaceful resolution.

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