Global nations urged to act against genocide in Gaza

In Colombia's capital, Bogotá, a conference was held where delegates from 30 countries gathered to address the urgency of the conflict in Gaza amid ongoing violence. The United Nations' special rapporteur for Gaza and the West Bank, Francesca Albanese, emphasized the need for international intervention to halt what she labeled as genocide occurring in the territory. With over 58,000 casualties reported since a deadly Hamas attack on Israel in 2023, numerous nations participating in the conference are increasingly vocal about their condemnation of Israeli military actions. The conference, co-hosted by the governments of Colombia and South Africa, aimed at formulating diplomatic and judicial steps to urge Israel to cease its military operations. Both countries have previously suspended coal exports to Israeli power plants as a form of protest against Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank. In particular, South Africa's long-standing stance compares Israeli policies to its historical apartheid regime. These tensions are amplified by calls from key officials for states to reconsider their economic relations with Israel, arguing that its economy supports the occupation that has now reached genocidal proportions. Additional discussions at the conference focused on potential sanctions from the European Union, including an arms embargo and bans on imports from Israeli settlements. Though participating nations, mainly from the Global South, may lack sufficient leverage, the platform provides an opportunity for them to declare their positions and unite against perceived injustices in the region. Ultimately, with more than half the casualties in Gaza attributed to military operations conducted by Israel, the international community is facing mounting pressure to intervene and establish a peaceful resolution to the escalating conflict.