Statement on the findings of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory

As per the report, these findings meet the definition of genocide under Article II of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Despite the International Court of Justice’s binding provisional measures ordering Israel to take immediate steps under the Convention to prevent acts of genocide, the conduct on the ground has shown persistent non-compliance.

The Commission of Inquiry’s conclusions are not isolated. Amnesty International, B’Tselem and the International Association of Genocide Scholars likewise report mass killings, starvation, destruction of essential infrastructure and explicit statements of intent that amount to genocide.

We welcome the European Parliament’s resolution of 11 September 2025 on Gaza at breaking point (2025/2852(RSP)), and the President of the European Commission’s acknowledgement of the humanitarian crisis currently unfolding in Gaza and the measures proposed, and we call on the EU Member States to adopt them.

We urge all European governments to honour their obligations under the Genocide Convention by taking every necessary legal, diplomatic and economic measure to prevent and suppress acts of genocide, and by cooperating fully with international judicial bodies to ensure accountability—wherever such crimes occur and without exception. We call on Israel to comply immediately and unequivocally with all the provisional measures and rulings issued by the International Court of Justice in its Orders of 26 January, 28 March and 24 May 2024 in its case on the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel).

We call on the European Union, its Member States and all European governments to act with the urgency and resolve that this moment requires. All measures must be taken to ensure full respect for international law and enable the thorough investigation of all violations, recognising the ongoing atrocities as constituting acts of genocide, as defined under the Genocide Convention, and responding accordingly under their legal obligations.

We reiterate our condemnation of Hamas for its attack on civilians on 7 October 2023 and call for the immediate release of all Israeli hostages. Yet, there is no justification—indeed there can never be a justification—for genocide. We call for an immediate ceasefire and for a genuine political process towards a just peace between the Israeli and Palestinian nations.

In line with the International Court of Justice’s 19 July 2024 Advisory Opinion and the UN General Assembly resolution ES-10/24, this process must include bringing Israel’s unlawful military occupation of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem to an end, including the withdrawal of all Israeli forces, the cessation of settlement activity and the evacuation of settlers without delay. In this context, we are extremely alarmed by recent statements of Israeli ministers regarding plans to resettle the Gaza Strip and we urge governments to impose targeted sanctions on all responsible members of the Israeli authorities, as well as violent settlers.

We urge the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, with the support of the international community and a strong role for civil society and youth organisations, to restart the peace process on this basis. In line with the UN Youth, Peace and Security Agenda (UNSCR 2250, 2535), young people must not be excluded from these negotiations. Their perspectives, shaped by lived experience and hopes for a better future, are essential.

We support the efforts underpinning the UN two-state solution conference. Echoing the words of the UN Secretary-General, we believe that the existence of two independent, sovereign States, recognised by the international community is the only credible path to a just and lasting peace between Israel and Palestine - and the only way to ensure that young people in both nations have a future free from fear, violence, and occupation.

Combatting antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred is integral to the fight against all forms of dehumanisation that make atrocities possible. Therefore, we reiterate our commitment to fight all and any forms of hate and we urge European and international institutions to take all appropriate measures to guarantee the safety of the European Jewish and Muslim communities.

We refuse to inherit a future defined by injustice and endless conflict. We are enraged by what we are witnessing and carry a responsibility to imagine something better. Across borders and communities, we will continue to raise our voices for peace, justice, and dignity.