Palestinian Civil Society Unified Call to Action Ahead of NYC International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine

Read the call in the following languages: 

Arabic – Spanish – French

29/7/2025

As UN member states are meeting in New York on 29-30 July for the delayed High-Level Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, we—the undersigned Palestinian civil society organizations and coalitions in Palestine and in exile—reaffirm our unified demands for a just and lawful resolution grounded in the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

Rooted in decades of engagement with our communities and international advocacy, Palestinian civil society has consistently witnessed the harmful consequences of ineffective, exclusionary, and symbolic international political approaches. This conference could serve as a turning point—but only if it is re-centered on its legal foundation: UN General Assembly Resolution ES-10/24, built on decades of existing international law obligations. This resolution welcomed the July 2024 International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion, which called on Israel to comply with international law, including ending its unlawful occupation, realizing the Palestinian people’s rights to self-determination and return, and requiring third states to adopt concrete sanctions and accountability measures to uphold international law.

Yet the preparatory processes and discussions—including the Paris “civil society” convening—have sidelined this legal premise instead advancing a narrow two-state agenda that cannot address the realities of fragmentation, siege, and genocide under a settler colonial regime. For decades, international approaches have obscured power asymmetries, equated colonizer and colonized, and funneled diplomatic and economic resources into processes and approaches that shield Israel from accountability while managing—rather than resolving—the root causes of injustice: over seven decades of Israeli settler colonialism and apartheid, maintained through military occupation, blockade, and genocide.

Approaches that promote dialogue with Israeli authorities, organizations, or individuals who do not challenge the settler-colonial reality or recognize Palestinians’ fundamental rights to self-determination and return ultimately serve to whitewash Israel’s ongoing crimes. A just resolution to the Question of Palestine requires a fundamental shift away from narrow and misguided frameworks of “statehood building” and “peacebuilding” under continued occupation, toward a political approach grounded in dismantling Israel’s colonial, apartheid, and occupation regime, and realizing Palestinian rights to self-determination and return.

As our people endure genocide, forced starvation, ethnic cleansing, and further dispossession, this is not the time for repackaged failures. It is a long-overdue moment for concrete action: meaningful accountability, sustained international pressure, and urgent sanctions to dismantle Israel’s unlawful regime and uphold the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

We therefore call on all states, institutions, and actors engaging with the Conference to: 

  1. Ground all solutions in the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including:

    • The right to self-determination, a peremptory norm under international law, for all 15 million Palestinians. This right does not begin or end with statehood but includes the collective will of the people to freely determine their political status and pursue economic, social, and cultural development, including sovereignty over land and resources.

    • The right of return for all Palestinian refugees displaced during the Nakba (1948), Naksa (1967), and in all subsequent waves of forced displacement.

    • The right to full reparation, including restitution, compensation, satisfaction, and guarantees of non-repetition.

  2. Immediately Stop the Genocide and End the Siege on Gaza:
    This requires an immediate unconditional ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Gaza, and the immediate, unrestricted provision of humanitarian assistance.

  3. Dismantle Israel’s settler colonial and apartheid structures by:

    • Enabling the right to self-determination and return.

    • Repealing all discriminatory laws against Palestinians.

    • Ending the military occupation.

    • Lifting the blockade of the Gaza Strip.

  4. Support Palestinian efforts to rebuild a unified, democratic Palestinian leadership, representing the Palestinian people in Palestine and in exile by:

  • Ending the delegitimization of Palestinian political factions and promote national reconciliation without imposed conditions.

  • Pressuring Israel to release all Palestinian political prisoners and end arbitrary detention and torture.

  1. Implement concrete accountability measures, in line with third states’ erga omnes obligations, not to recognize, aid, or assist Israel’s unlawful apartheid, genocide, occupation and the denial of the Palestinian right to self-determination, including:

  • Impose a two-way military embargo on Israel, covering all arms, military technology, surveillance equipment, jet fuel, training, joint exercises, military bases and the export, import, transfer, and transit of all parts, components, and dual-use items;

  • Enforce diplomatic sanctions, including by expelling Israeli ambassadors and suspending official visits and cooperation with Israeli authorities;

  • Impose targeted sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, on individuals and institutions complicit in Israel’s international crimes;

  • End all economic aid and cooperation agreements that sustain Israel’s unlawful occupation and apartheid regime, including cancelling free trade agreements;

  • Impose a two-way energy embargo by halting all imports/exports of oil, gas, and coal; divesting from extraction projects; and terminating all agreements involving transit and pipelines, and infrastructure involving occupied Palestinian territory, including its maritime zones;

  • Prohibit coastal passage and docking of vessels in their territorial waters carrying weapons, military and dual use equipment, fuel, or goods supporting Israel’s occupation, genocide, apartheid or illegal settlements; prohibit vessels flying their flag from carrying such military and dual-use materiel.

  • Terminate all bilateral and multilateral Free Trade and Cooperation Agreements, especially the EU-Israel Association Agreement under Article 2 violation, and all EU-funded cooperation programs, including academic, cultural and sports programs, and the Mercosur-Israel Free Trade Agreement;

  • Adopt national legislation preventing businesses within your jurisdiction from operating, trading, investing, or maintaining Israel’s illegal occupation, including its settlement enterprise;

  • Ensure that corporate entities and financial institutions under your jurisdiction divest any assets from Israeli and complicit companies and corporations implicated in international crimes.

  • Repeal all domestic laws and policies that criminalize Palestinian solidarity, especially through protests and boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaigning;

  • Investigate and prosecute nationals involved in crimes against Palestinians, including dual citizens in the Israeli military, and issue directives discouraging enlistment.

  • Activate universal jurisdiction to prosecute perpetrators of international crimes against Palestinians in domestic courts.

  • Enforce ICC arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant by arresting and transferring them to The Hague if present within jurisdiction, including airspace.

  • Support the ICC investigation into the situation in Palestine by protecting its staff, opposing sanctions, increasing financial support, and pressuring Israel to grant access to Palestine to ICC staff to conduct independent investigations;

  • Refer the Situation in Palestine to the ICC, where not yet done, emphasizing crimes of apartheid, genocide, and crimes related to the unlawful occupation.

  • Support the ICJ cases brought by South Africa against Israel for genocide, and by Nicaragua against Germany for aiding it, including by submitting declaration of intervention under Article 63 of the Statute of Court.

  • Join the Hague Group, aligning with Global South states advancing accountability measures to support Palestinian self-determination.

  • Demand that the UNGA reconstitute the UN Special Committee against Apartheid and UN Centre Against Apartheid, to bring Israel’s apartheid to an end.

  • Demand that the UNGA suspend Israel’s membership for violating its membership conditions, including non-compliance with Resolution 194. This is compounded by its systematic violations and attacks on UN principles and institutions;

  • Support the mandate of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the oPt and Israel, including by pressuring Israel to grant access to Palestine for independent investigations.

The Conference presents a critical opportunity to move beyond flawed frameworks and toward meaningful measures that will carve a path to resolving the “Question of Palestine” with actions rooted in principles of international law. As Palestinian civil society, we speak with one voice: any path forward must begin by confronting and dismantling the structures of colonial domination and realizing the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.

—————————————————————————————-

Signatures will be added on a rolling basis

Palestinian Signatories:

  1. Palestinian BDS National Committee
  2. The Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy (PIPD)
  3. Al-Haq
  4. Al-Haq Europe
  5. The Civic Coalition for Palestinians Right in Jerusalem
  6. Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem (ARIJ)
  7. Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC)
  8. Filastiniyat
  9. Bisan Center for Research and Development
  10. Visualizing Palestine
  11. The Social Development Committee (SDC)
  12. The Community Action Center at Al-Quds University
  13. Law for Palestine
  14. MUSAWA – Palestinian Centre for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession
  15. Beitna – Palestinian Collective in Belgium
  16. QADER for Community Development
  17. British Palestinian Committee
  18. Women’s Studies Centre
  19. The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy- MIFTAH
  20. Palestinian Youth Association for Leadership and Rights Activation
  21. Center for Refugee Rights – Aidoun
  22. Defense for Children International- Palestine
  23. Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development-PWWS
  24. The Palestinian Center for the Missing and Forcibly Disappeared (PCMFD)
  25. AMAN Coalition
  26. Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign (Stop the Wall)
  27. The Palestine New Federation of Trade Unions
  28. BuildPalestine
  29. Adalah Justice Project
  30. Urgence Palestine
  31. The International Commission for Supporting the Rights of the Palestinian People “Hashd”
  32. Friends of Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS)
  33. Social Developmental Forum (SDF)
  34. Palestinian Working Women Society for Development
  35. The Psychosocial Counseling Center for Women
  36. US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR)
  37. Rihannah Society,  al-Azzeh Refugee Camp
  38. Alrowwad Cultural & Arts Society
  39. Reviving Gaza
  40. Gaza Families Reunited
  41. UK Gaza Community
  42. Makan Rights
  43. Sabeel – Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center
  44. Palestinian Forum in Britain
  45. Forum Palestine Citoyenneté
  46. Hawwa Society for Culture and Arts

International Endorsers: 

  1. South African BDS Coalition
  2. Palestine Solidarity Alliance, South Africa
  3. Housing and Land Rights Network – Habitat International Coalition
  4. Legal Forum for Kashmir
  5. Pal Commission on War Crimes, Justice, Reparations, and Return
  6. Arab Women Organization of Jordan
  7. International Peace Bureau (IPB)
  8. SERAPAZ (Mexico)
  9. Jenin Freedom Cinema Club California
  10. International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR)
  11. Red Eclesial Justicia y Paz en la Patria Grande (ALyC)
  12. CBJP Comissão Brasileira Justiça e Paz
  13. Llegó la Hora de los Pueblos, Colectivo de Apoyo al CNI CIG – EZLN
  14. Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA)
  15. Comisión de Justicia, Paz e Integridad de la Creación
  16. Solidarity 2020 and Beyond
  17. Cuidadores de la Casa Común
  18. Hijas e Hijos por la Identidad y la Justicia contra el Olvido y el Silencio H.I.J.O.S., (Guatemala)
  19. Park Avenue Baptist Church
  20. World BEYOND War
  21. GPPAC Pacific
  22. Global Exchange
  23. The Palestinian Solidarity Organisation (PSO) at Mandela University
  24. Movimiento Franciscano Justicia, Paz e Integridad de la Creación
  25. Mesa Ecuménica por la Paz – MEP –
  26. Coalición de Movimientos y Organizaciones Sociales de Colombia – COMOSOC –
  27. FabLanka Foundation
  28. Australia Palestine Advocacy Network
  29. Muslim Peace Fellowship
  30. Community Media Network
  31. Observatorio Latinoamericano de Geopolitica
  32. Global Solidarity Coalition for Peace in Palestine
  33. STOP the War Coalition Philippines
  34. Palestinian-Canadian Academics and Artists Network
  35. Programa Latinoamericano y Caribeño de tierras y agua
  36. Arab American Institute, US
  37. The Women International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), Switzerland
  38. Dones x Dones, Catalunya
  39. Mujeres para el Diálogo México
  40. Vino Nuevo
  41. Servicio Internacional Cristiano de Solidaridad con los Pueblos de América Latina, Mexico
  42. Comité de Solidaridad y Derechos Humanos Monseñor Romero, Mexico
  43. Human security initiative Org., Sudan
  44. Peace Women Partners, Peace Women Partners, Philippines
  45. Instituto Multiverso, Brazil
  46. Palestinian Community of Western Australia
  47. Ya Basta ‘Alto al Genocidio’ (Enough is Enough Stop Genocide in Gaza), Mexico
  48. World Beyond War, USA
  49. Guahan Coalition for Peace and Justice,
  50. Socialismo o extinción – izquierda Internacional, Mexico
  51. ASLA- Australia Solidarity with Latin America, Australia
  52. Association Belgo-Palestinienne WB, Belgium
  53. Australian Services Union, Australia
  54. Balkan Solidarity Network
  55. Canadian International Development Organization, Canada
  56. Child Focus Africa
  57. Deutsch-Palästinensische Gesellschaft (DPG) e.V. [German-Palestian Association], Germany
  58. BDS.NL, Netherlands
  59. Dora Frankel Ensemble Ltd, UK
  60. European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine (ECCP), Belgium
  61. Federacion Palestina en Mexico, Mexico
  62. FNV, Netherlands
  63. Galway Association Against War, Ireland
  64. Health Workers 4 Palestine, UK
  65. Israeli Commitee Against House Demolitions, UK
  66. Independent Jewish Voices – Montreal Chapter, Canada
  67. Indiana Center for Middle East Peace, USInitiative Justice for Israelis and Palestinians
  68. Buendnis fuer Gerechtigkeit zwischen Israelis und Palaestinensern e.V., Germany
  69. Jews Against the Occupation ’48, Australia
  70. Innovando la Tradicion, Mexico
  71. International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (EAFORD), Switzerland
  72. Jewish Peaceniks, UK
  73. Jews Against the Occupation ’48, Australia
  74. Just Peace Advocates/Mouvement Pour Une Paix Juste, Canada
  75. KwaZulu-Natal Palestine Solidarity Coalition, South Africa
  76. Just Food Hub, US
  77. Law for Palestine, UK
  78. MARUF CT, US
  79. Ontario Palestinian Rights Association, Canada
  80. Palestine Solidarity Campaign, UK
  81. Palestine Solidarity Campaign Gauteng, South Africa
  82. Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Cape Town, South Africa
  83. Pax Christi Canada
  84. Pax Christi Flanders, Belgium
  85. Project of Heart, Canada
  86. PSNA, New Zealand
  87. Salt River Heritage Society, South Africa
  88. Solidarity Albania, Albania
  89. Stroud District Community Independents, UK
  90. Sydney Peace & Justice Coalition, Australia
  91. The Canadian BDS Coalition and International BDS Allies, Canada
  92. The Palestine Committee in Norway, Norway
  93. Wilco Justice Alliance, US
  94. US Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Aotearoa/New Zealand
  95. America Latina y el Caribe
  96. Comisión provincial apostolado social, El Salvador
  97. Firmas por Palestina México, Mexico
  98. Judíes x Palestina, Argentina
  99. Medicos por Palestina, Chile
  100. Mexicanos Unidos, Mexico
  101. Plataforma Ciudadana Axarquia con Palestina, Spain
  102. Resist Glencore, Columbia
  103. Voces Palestinas, Málaga, Spain
  104. Mouvement Citoyen Palestine, France
  105. The Canadian BDS Coalition and International BDS Allies
  106. Association France Palestine Solidarité (AFPS)