Image Source: Toronto Star
Occupied Gaza Strip – Despite the United Nations Commission of Inquiry classifying Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, the findings carry no enforcement power.
Political Analyst and Consultant, Dr Quraysha Sooliman, warned that without mechanisms to prosecute or sanction, the Commission’s determination risks becoming just another report with little effect on the ground.
The Commission concluded that four of the five acts outlined in the 1948 Genocide Convention were present: killing, causing serious harm, creating conditions meant to destroy, and preventing births. Israel rejected the findings as false and politically motivated.
Sooliman described the gap between findings and accountability as the most pressing concern. She explained that while determinations may raise awareness, they do little to change realities on the ground without binding enforcement.
“There’s a gap between findings and enforcement. That’s the obvious thing, right? So the Commission’s determination has no enforcement. It cannot prosecute. It cannot sanction.”
She added that this paralysis within the UN system leaves victims abandoned while power politics dictate the response. According to her, reports continue to be produced, but atrocities remain unpunished.
“The critical question here now is, does the UN system raise the alarm but then abandon victims, and geopolitical interests block action. So that’s what we need to look at because I mean, in reality, you know, there is a UN paralysis.”
Highlighting Global Hypocrisy
Sooliman described how inconsistencies in applying international law have undermined its credibility. She said the swiftness with which the world recognised genocide in Ukraine contrasted sharply with the hesitation to do the same for Gaza.
“In Ukraine, the genocide was declared within weeks. I mean, like really? And in Gaza, even with overwhelming evidence, you know, world powers resist the term. So that hypocrisy essentially kills international law, and that’s where we are.”
She stressed that intent is critical in defining genocide, pointing to rhetoric from Israeli leaders as clear evidence. She explained that statements made by high-level officials, followed by military conduct, reveal genocidal intent.
“Intent is very important to declare an action genocide… In Israel they have they are not ashamed to articulate the intent… genocidal intent on the part of these high-level officials… and then a follow-through on the patterns of conduct.”
Sooliman also warned that without accountability mechanisms such as prosecutions, credible evidence remains powerless. She argued that diplomacy often becomes a shield for perpetrators rather than a tool for peace.
“The Commission has gathered credible evidence. But genocide, the reality is that genocide requires an accountability mechanism. So the ICC prosecutions, the universal jurisdiction trials or state actions, none of these will advance… in powerful states of justice.”
