We write to you in regards to the urgent situation in Gaza and the ongoing genocide in the territory. As Israeli forces subject Palestinians in Gaza to horrific slaughter and starvation, it is imperative that you act immediately to formally request the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to mandate the deployment of a multilateral protection force in Gaza, pursuant to a “Uniting for Peace” resolution secured in an Emergency Special Session. This force should have a specific mandate to protect civilians, facilitate aid distribution throughout Gaza, secure evidence of Israeli crimes, and assist in reconstruction. As you are aware, member states of the United Nations will need a formal invitation from the State of Palestine in order to proceed with the deployment of such forces to Gaza.

Member states could contribute forces for such peacekeeping forces with no need for any permission from the U.N. Security Council or Israel. A number of states have already made clear that they would be willing to send forces for such a U.N. authorized force. There is a strong precedent for this. Within days of the invasion of Gaza and Sinai in 1956, the UNGA set up the United Nations Emergency Force pursuant to a Uniting for Peace resolution and within months ensured the withdrawal of invading Israel, British and French forces. Palestine would retain full authority over who contributes troops and how long they stay.

Numerous civil society organizations and U.N. experts have urged the United Nations to deploy peacekeeping forces to Gaza in light of Israel’s deliberate defiance of the international community’s repeated requests to halt its assault. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Michael Fakhri, stated that in light of the persistent U.S. veto of ceasefire resolutions at the U.N. Security Council (UNSC), the UNGA should call for peacekeepers to accompany humanitarian convoys into Gaza.

We note that Minister Riyad Mansour called on August 10 for the UNSC to invoke Chapter VII to mandate such a protection force: "This Council must act under Chapter VII to deprive Israel of the means to pursue this war of atrocities, to hold it accountable for its crimes and to send an immediate international protection force to save the Palestinian people from certain death."

While we welcome this long overdue call, it is clear that the U.S. would veto a UNSC resolution to authorize such forces. In addition, it should not be necessary to invoke Chapter VII, as the presence of such forces in Palestinian territory would be at the invitation of the State of Palestine. This is why the signatories of the New York Declaration merely asked for an invitation from Palestine to deploy stabilization forces following a ceasefire.

The international community around the world strongly supports the struggle of the Palestinian people for freedom from occupation and an end to Israel’s genocide. The most essential step now needed to curb further Israeli atrocities is action by the State of Palestine to secure international protection for the people of Gaza.

Signed, 

Organizations: