The upcoming ministerial conference on Palestine, now set for July 28–29 and co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, offers United Nations member states a chance to move beyond vague endorsements of peace.

Human Rights Watch is calling on governments to make firm, time-bound commitments to hold Israeli authorities accountable for decades of violations against Palestinians. These should include arms embargoes, targeted sanctions, suspension of trade deals, and active support for international justice mechanisms.

The conference follows the 2024 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice, which ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory is illegal and constitutes apartheid and other serious crimes. In its wake, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for Israel to end its presence in the occupied territories within a year. Yet military operations continue in Gaza, with the International Criminal Court having issued arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

While some countries have begun to respond—sanctioning extremist ministers, freezing trade talks, and pushing to ban business with settlements—most of the international community remains cautious. The United States continues to shield Israel diplomatically, including by blocking Security Council action and targeting ICC officials.

Human Rights Watch has outlined a detailed agenda for the conference, including the reactivation of a UN committee to investigate apartheid, full backing for the ICC, and support for Palestinian refugee rights and reparations. Whether the conference produces meaningful commitments—or repeats the familiar cycle of statements without follow-through—will show whether the world is ready to confront one of the most entrenched human rights crises of our time.

Source: HRW