Published on 24-10-2023, Last modified on 24-10-2023

Statement on the violence in Israel and Palestine  

Ghent, 19 October 2023

As academics working in the domain of human rights, we are deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in Palestine and Israel. We want to underline the importance of upholding and respecting the principles of international law. Moreover, we want to convey our solidarity to Israeli and Palestinian colleagues and students at our university who are affected by the event. We are worried about the polarising language that is increasingly used in debates about this conflict, and urge for restraint and the respect for human dignity and basic values. 

The hostilities between Israel and Hamas are governed by the rules of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). On 7 October 2023, Hamas breached these rules flagrantly with its deliberate attacks on civilians and indiscriminate rocket attacks into Israel. Additionally, it has murdered many individuals and taken other hostages, both of which are war crimes. On its turn, Israel has conducted relentless airstrikes on Gaza and tightened its existing blockade, blocking vital supplies such as fuel, water, electricity, and food. Thus it collectively punished the civilian population of Gaza for the crimes committed by Hamas. Those Israeli attacks that do not consider the principles of distinction, precaution and proportionality are also to be considered war crimes. Furthermore, Israel bears responsibilities for the humanitarian consequences of its military operations such as displacement, even if these operations are conducted as a response to Palestinian attacks and even if one of the border crossings is under the control of Egypt. Particularly so, because Israel still has the status of occupying power in the Gaza Strip.   

The obligation to adhere to these rules, aimed at minimizing the risks of war for civilians, is unconditional. Even the worst violations of these rules committed by one party to an armed conflict do not release the opposing party from its obligations. Israel cannot in any way justify its violations of IHL by the conduct of Hamas. Vice versa, Palestinian armed groups cannot invoke the occupation and ongoing injustices to disregard the rules of IHL. 

As academics who pursue the respect of human rights, we insist on our policy makers and government to uphold respect for international law by all parties. They must urge an immediate cessation of deliberate and indiscriminate harm inflicted upon civilian lives and infrastructure. Furthermore, policy makers must address the root causes of the conflict, such as Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.  

Tine Destrooper, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Ellen Desmet, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Giselle Corradi, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Brigitte Herremans, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Joost Dessein, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Jill Alpes, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Kornee van der Haven, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Koen Vlassenroot, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Martine Dewulf, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Herman Wolf, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Branwen Peddi, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Cira Pallí-Asperó, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Hanne Vandenbussche, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Raoul Rombouts, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Marlies Casier, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Marijke D’Haese, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Marit de Haan, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Marjolein De Pau, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Kristien Van Ingelgem, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Inge Govaere, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Pieter Cannoot, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Guido Bartolini, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Toon Benoot, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Sarah J. Adams, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Liselot Casteleyn, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Fabienne Bossuyt, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Koen Schoors, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Ferdi De Ville, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Kaat Overmeire, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Sofie de Smet, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Sarah Kerremans, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Sami Zemni, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Gretel Mejía, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Hannah Carlota Osaer, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Marie-Benedicte Dembour, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Elke Evrard, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Jinske Verhellen, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Sara Lembrechts, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Geertrui Daem, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Evelyn Merckx, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Eva Ecker, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Lore Roels, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Tom Claes, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Nina Kolowratnik, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Tom Decorte, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Carl Lachat, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Ruben Wissing, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Gert Vermeulen, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Ayse Güdük, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Anne-Katrin Speck, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Birte Schorpion, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

July De Wilde, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Eva Brems, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Joyce De Coninck, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Berber Bevernage, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Eva Willems, History Department, Ghent University 

Maria Martin de Almagro, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Christel Stalpaert, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Amber Steyaert, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Lana De Clercq, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Laura Luciani, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Eline Mestdagh, History Department, Ghent University  

Tiny Vandoorne, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Marie-Gabrielle Verbergt, History Department, Ghent University 

Nathan Herrebosch, member of the Human Rights Research Network, Ghent University 

Wouter Reggers, History Department, Ghent University