Israel/OPT: Elections must not deflect attention from Israel’s international crimes

Ahead of parliamentary elections in Israel on 27 October, Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns said:

“While much of the world’s attention is focused on Israel’s upcoming parliamentary elections, Palestinians who have endured decades of crimes and systematic violations at the hands of successive Israeli governments have little reason to expect the outcome to deliver positive human rights change*. *

“In recent months, electoral candidates have shamelessly exploited anti-Palestinian sentiment or even threatened to step up human rights violations and crimes under international law in a bid to score political points. Candidates have used dehumanizing rhetoric against Palestinians, promised to further entrench Israel’s illegal annexation measures in the occupied West Bank, and threatened further devastation of the occupied Gaza Strip. Candidates across the political spectrum also pushed for the disqualification of Sami Abu Shehadeh, Palestinian citizen of Israel and chairperson of the Tajammou’ (Balad) party, displaying utter disregard for the right to freedom of association, expression, and assembly.

“Across the occupied West Bank, including illegally annexed East Jerusalem, Israel continues to ruthlessly displace families and carry out home demolitions while military restrictions on Palestinian farmers and rising state-driven settler attacks have transformed the olive harvest into a season of horror.

“In the occupied Gaza Strip where Israel’s genocide continues unabated, a year after the so-called ceasefire killings of Palestinian civilians continue and the expansion of access-restricted zones and the indefinite delay of reconstruction have left Gaza’s population trapped in a state of protracted displacement and despair. The closure of the border crossings to commercial supplies is also forcing civilians to wait in endless queues for food and bread, while restrictions on the entry of engine oil threaten to further hamper an already devastated healthcare sector.

While much of the world’s attention is focused on Israel’s upcoming parliamentary elections, Palestinians who have endured decades of crimes and systematic violations at the hands of successive Israeli governments have little reason to expect the outcome to deliver positive human rights change*. *

Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International

“Persisting impunity for decades of atrocity crimes associated with Israel’s cruel system of apartheid and its brutal unlawful occupation, perpetuated by successive Israeli governments – regardless of their political affiliation – has only fueled more crimes against Palestinians and encouraged Israel to commit serious violations beyond the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).

“Israel has carried out deadly attacks in Lebanon killing thousands of people, deliberately destroyed civilian homes and infrastructure, devastated livelihoods through restrictions on or denial of farmers’ access to their crops and agricultural land, and continued to forcibly displace tens of thousands of civilians from dozens of villages along the Lebanese-Israeli border in southern Lebanon. In Syria, Israel has also carried out unlawful destruction of civilian property and continues to carry out deadly military attacks.

“Millions of people, including Palestinians in the OPT, as well as civilians in Lebanon and Syria, face the consequences of Israeli policies and actions, yet have no say or vote in the elections that will impact their lives. States with influence over Israel must use the diplomatic and economic measures at their disposal to ensure their rights are protected.

“They must increase pressure on any new incoming government to stop Israel’s genocide in Gaza, dismantle its system of apartheid, end the ethnic cleansing of communities in the West Bank, and end its unlawful occupation of the OPT. They also must pressure Israel to end unlawful attacks and abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law across the region, withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon and allow the return of displaced Lebanese people to their towns and villages.

“States can and must act now to hold Israel accountable and halt its relentless assault on human rights in the region. This includes suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement, imposing an arms embargo on Israel, and ending any cooperation that may contribute to maintaining Israel’s unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory.”

Background:

Israel’s parliamentary elections will be held on 27 October 2026. Millions of people under direct Israeli control, including residents of illegally annexed East Jerusalem, the rest of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are ineligible to vote while polling stations will be available in illegal Israeli settlements.

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