GENEVA (24 December 2025) – The UN
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
today called on all States Parties to take concrete action
following its conclusions in a case brought by the State of
Palestine against Israel, and urged them to support the
implementation of its recommendations, including through
appropriate sanctions against individuals, groups or
entities inciting segregation or racially motivated
violence.
The call follows the publication of the Committee’s
conclusions by an independent ad hoc conciliation
commission established under the inter-State
procedure and which examined for the first time
allegations of racial discrimination affecting Palestinians
in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The commission
concluded that segregation between Jewish and non-Jewish
communities, the expansion of settlements and outposts,
restrictions on building permits, and home demolitions
contribute to systemic discrimination against Palestinians
and undermine prospects for a peaceful resolution.
The
conclusions
published in 2024 by the ad hoc conciliation commission
are accompanied by a set of specific recommendations
addressed to Israel, the State of Palestine and all States
Parties, aimed at addressing the concerns identified and
supporting steps toward compliance with the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination (ICERD).
Advertisement – scroll to continue reading
The Committee emphasized
that addressing these recommendations require sustained
engagement beyond the two parties in the case. All States
Parties have obligations under the Convention to ensure that
their policies, cooperation and assistance related to the
situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory do not
enable or support discriminatory policies or practices. They
are also called upon to use diplomatic, legal and other
lawful means to promote compliance with international
standards and help address the concerns
identified
“The international community has a
fundamental role to play in addressing racial
discrimination. Where States knowingly tolerate racial
discrimination by another State, in circumstances where they
are obliged not to, they may themselves incur responsibility
under international law,” Chinsung Chung, Committee
member, said.
The Committee called on States Parties
to ensure that their resources are not used to support
discriminatory policies or practices, and to take measures
against incitement to segregation, hate speech and racially
motivated violence, as part of their shared responsibility
to eliminate racial discrimination.
“As ICERD marks
its 60th
anniversary, combating racial discrimination is more
urgent than ever, particularly in situations of armed
conflict, and it requires the full commitment of all States
Parties,” Chung added.
As part of this follow-up
phase, the Committee will continue to seek information from
States Parties and other relevant stakeholders on steps
taken in response to the recommendations and to monitor
their
implementation.
