The International Bar Association (IBA) has 'strongly condemned' the 'heinous attacks' on Israel by militant group Hamas.
'These indiscriminate and targeted atrocities against Israeli citizens contravene an unequivocal, non-derogable prohibition under international law,' the global bar body said in a statement. 'The murder of civilians, the assaults, and the trespass into private homes to kill and maim are all internationally recognised crimes of profound gravity; the abductions and taking of hostages, including women, children and the elderly, are crimes in violation of human rights and humanitarian law.'
The IBA said Israel has an 'inherent right to self-defence from these unlawful attacks', adding: 'However, in doing so, it, too, must ensure that civilian populations are shielded from harm and that military actions are conducted with a clear commitment to the international legal principles of distinction and proportionality.'
The IBA urged 'all international institutions and governments to use their best diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the hostages, to prevent the escalation of violence in the region and to return to the peace tables so that a just solution is achieved between Israel and Palestine.'
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute has been a frequent critic of the government of Israel over Palestine. This has included condemning the planned Israeli annexation of the West Bank and Jordan Valley, and Israel’s designation of Palestinian civil society groups as terrorist organisations.
The Israel bar is a member of the IBA, but an IBA spokesperson said it was not aware of the statement before it was distributed.
This article is now closed for comment.
5 Readers' comments