Dozens of UN experts call for targeted sanctions and arms embargo on Israel

A group of 38 independent UN human rights experts, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva as part of its special procedures, have called on UN member states to impose an arms embargo and targeted sanctions on Israel.

In a joint statement on Tuesday, the experts urged UN member states to "immediately review all diplomatic, political, and economic ties with Israel, inclusive of business and finance, pension funds, academia and charities."

They called on member states to implement an immediate and complete embargo on the sale of arms, munitions and other military equipment to Israel.

The UN experts added that states must impose targeted sanctions on Israel and investigate dual citizens involved in crimes while serving in the Israeli military, or involved in settler violence in the occupied West Bank. 

The call comes as the UK indicated it is looking into restricting some, but not all, arms sales to Israel, althought it has offered no timetable on the decision. 

Reports have claimed that the Labour government is reviewing evidence to identify which UK-made weapons may have been used in suspected war crimes in Gaza.

The UN experts' statement is in response to the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) recent landmark advisory opinion that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful and should be brought to an end "as rapidly as possible". 

Judges at ICJ ruled that member states have a duty to "take steps to prevent trade or investment relations that assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation created by Israel".

The UN experts said: “The advisory opinion reaffirms peremptory norms prohibiting annexation, settlements, racial segregation and apartheid, and should be seen as declaratory in nature and binding on Israel and all states supporting the occupation."