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Last March, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) held its 80th session. It evaluated Israel's compliance under I CERD provisions . In 1979, Israel became a signatory. Policy reform didn't follow. Crimes against humanity continue.
CERD recognizes regional security and stability issues. At the same time, violating international law provisions are prohibited. Israel does it egregiously.
It said Israeli West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements "are not only illegal under international law but are an obstacle to the enjoyment of human rights by the whole population, without distinction as to national or ethnic origin."
Israel also violates provisions of other international human rights and humanitarian laws. Discriminatory racism is institutionalized. So is inequality with regard to education, health, society, family, nationality, religion, work, and freedom from violence.
ICERD's Article 3 condemns "racial segregation and apartheid and undertake(s) to prevent, prohibit and eradicate all practices of this nature in territories under (its) jurisdiction."Article 4 condemns "all propaganda and all organizations which are based on ideas or theories of superiority of one race or group of persons of one colour or ethnic origin, or which attempt(s) to justify or promote racial hatred and discrimination in any form, and undertake(s) to adopt immediate and positive measures designed to eradicate all incitement to, or acts of, such discrimination and, to this end, with due regard to the principles embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights...."
Under Article 5, "State Parties undertake to prohibit and to eliminate racial discrimination in all its forms and to guarantee the right of everyone, without distinction as to race, colour, or national or ethnic origin, to equality before the law" in all respects.
Israel stands in fundamental violation. It didn't sign the Apartheid Convention but accepted ICERD provisions.
In 1998, Palestinian human rights organizations began petitioning ICERD to hold Israel accountable. Nonetheless, it systematically refuses to comply with its international law obligations.
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