Two former heads of state from the Elders, an international group established by Nelson Mandela, have issued a stark warning about the potential disappearance of the Palestinian territories amidst escalating tensions. Following their recent visit to Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories, Jordan, and Lebanon, former Irish President Mary Robinson and ex-New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark emphasized the urgent need for accountability and an end to what they termed Israeli “impunity.”
During a press conference in Jerusalem, Robinson and Clark expressed deep concerns regarding the ongoing actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which they assert is actively trying to eliminate Palestine both physically and culturally. They pointed out that the international community’s response has not been sufficiently robust to tackle these violations, particularly in the West Bank and East Jerusalem—territories Palestinians envision as the capital of their future sovereign state.
Clark highlighted a prevalent sentiment among civil society in the region, stressing a desire for accountability: “What we’ve heard across civil society is that they are looking for accountability and no impunity.” Robinson expressed disappointment with the European Union’s lack of decisive action, urging leaders in Brussels to suspend the trade aspects of their association agreement with Israel and to prohibit the commerce of goods originating from Israeli settlements.
Their observations pointed to a notable deterioration in conditions within the West Bank since their last mission earlier in the year. They warned that continued expansion of Israeli settlements could lead to the complete erasure of Palestinian territories. Reports from Israeli anti-settlement organization Peace Now indicate that Netanyahu’s administration has authorized the establishment of 102 new settlements in the West Bank since taking office.
The current geopolitical climate has worsened since the onset of the Gaza conflict earlier in 2023, marked by increased violence from settlers and discussions among some Israeli officials advocating for the annexation of parts of the West Bank. More than 500,000 Israelis now reside in settlements established in the area, which has been under occupation since 1967, alongside a Palestinian population of approximately three million. It is important to note that international law regards all Israeli settlements as illegal.
The former leaders also had discussions with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, acknowledging that their views diverged on several issues. In response, the Israeli presidency’s spokesperson conveyed Herzog’s firm rejection of the criticism presented by Robinson and Clark, particularly regarding the characterization of Israel’s actions during the ongoing conflict.
