Israel/OPT: Global Day of Action to Demand States #StopSendingArms Fueling Violations of International Law

On May 2, a joint NGO Global Day of Action is mobilizing a global coalition of human rights and humanitarian organizations, arms experts, activists, journalists, academics, legal professionals, and students to call on all states to stop the transfer of weapons, parts and ammunitions being used to fuel violations of international law in the occupied Gaza Strip.

Amnesty International has a longstanding call for a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel, Hamas and other armed groups participating in the war in Gaza.

"The Global Day of Action must serve as a wake-up call to states that continue to supply arms to all parties to the conflict in Gaza that they are at risk of being complicit in war crimes and other violations of international law," said Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns at Amnesty International.

Israeli forces have carried out unlawful attacks in Gaza, including indiscriminate attacks, contributing to a staggering loss of human life and extensive destruction and damage to civilian infrastructure. Amnesty International's research has documented the use of US- supplied weapons by Israel to carry out unlawful air strikes that caused mass civilian casualties.

"Following the conclusion by the International Court of Justice that there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza and in light of the obligation under international law of all states to prevent genocide, governments that continue to supply arms to Israel may find themselves in breach of the Genocide Convention," said Erika Guevara Rosas.

On April 29, Amnesty International submitted a research briefing to the US government as part of the National Security Memorandum on Safeguards and Accountability with Respect to Transferred Defense Articles and Defense Services (NSM-20) process, documenting the use of US-supplied weapons by Israel to commit a violations of international in Gaza. Armed groups in Gaza committed war crimes during the attacks on October 7, and have continued to fire indiscriminate rockets towards population centers in Israel and to hold hostages in Gaza.

Amnesty International activists are organizing an array of campaign stunts across 12 countries spanning the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Slovakia, Australia, Korea, and Taiwan. With a strategic emphasis on countries with significant arms exports, these events aim to resonate globally. The events will range from symbolic "die-ins" to illuminating projections on governmental buildings, public demonstrations and stunts using mock-ups of missiles and fighter jets.

The Global Day of Action, organized by civil society and international NGOs collaborating on global #CeasefireNOW advocacy, will raise awareness about the devastating impact of arms transfers on human rights, specifically in the Gaza Strip, where civilians bear the brunt of violence. It will also call on governments worldwide to halt arms transfers to Israel, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law and protecting civilians.

The campaigning activities on May 2 build upon a call by more than 250 humanitarian and human rights organizations, which have signed a letter calling on all states to immediately halt the transfer of weapons, parts and ammunition to Israel and Palestinian armed groups.

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