This is a statement of collective position and petition by Kaospilot Students and Alumnus calling for courage for all Danes.
We call on all danes to take a position to condemn genocide and terror, and end complicity. We call for an immediate ceasefire now.
For a supply of humanitarian aid at the highest level of Denmark’s integrity.
We call for Denmark to have the courage to speak from unity, compassion, and strength.
Specifically, we ask Denmark to join a position of condemnation and a call for peace to openly condemn Israel for their current indiscriminate genocide of Palestinian civilians and demand a ceasefire on the national stage and a release of all hostages on both sides.
This statement exclusively concerns the cessation of acts of barbarism and the moral imperative of the spectator to take a firm stance against this profound inhumane acts of immorality.
Israel is currently committing atrocious war crimes. They are cutting off water access (Article 55; 4th Geneva Convention / Article 8, Rome Statute), enacting collective punishment (Articles 3, 33, and 51; 4th Geneva Convention), bombing hospitals and places of worship (Articles 18 and 53; 4th Geneva Convention), attacking communications infrastructures (and individual journalists), using white phosphorus (UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons), and continuing illegal occupation (i.e. breaching international law already), all while the western media covers-up and whitewashes these acts. This illegal occupation implies that any violent act by Israel (occupier) unto Palestine (occupied) breaches international law.
We condemn these atrocities and the killing of civilians. We call for an end to them now!
As of today, Denmark has yet to condemn Israel for these acts. Prime minister Mette Frederiksen instead speaks of condemning “those who cheer for gruesome things happening to Palestinians.”-- overlooking the acts themselves and those who commit them. She, and all of Denmark, and Danes anywhere must insist on language that speaks directly, avoiding vague and convoluted ethics or layered, politico-proofing language.
Let us be clear on this: ambiguity and fence-sitting only works to further the causes of the oppressors. It means accepting murder, and effectively only creasing our brows as we stand by.
Instead, hear this, as we wait and hope for the courage to step in when we do see a killing of Israeli civilians, we call for integrity
to do the same when we see carpet bombing of children in the open air prison of Gaza.
We call on every Dane to stand on what matters, or lose understanding of what does matter. With this statement, the Kaospilot community stands. Let Denmark stand too.
INDEX
International Law Violations by Israel
Denmark’s Changing Position
Below is a review of Israel's violations of international law in Gaza;
On Israel's role as an occupying power in Gaza
According to IHL, Israel has a responsibility for the welfare of the occupied population, including provision of food, medical care and means of shelter for the occupied population of Gaza. IHL governs the legal duties of the Israeli authorities towards the population of the OPT, especially given the long duration of the occupation. Hamas, which are de facto governing authority in Gaza, have the responsibility to protect the human rights of the population they govern. Their functions do not negate Israel’s duties as the occupying power.
According to Article 55 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, "The Occupying Power has the duty to ensure, as far as possible, the supply of foodstuffs and medical care to the population; it should in particular import the necessary foodstuffs, medical care and other articles if the resources of the occupied territory are inadequate."
According to article 8 of the Rome Statute, which constitutes the International Criminal Court, specifically prohibits “intentionally using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare by depriving them of objects indispensable to their survival, including willfully impeding relief supplies as provided for under the Geneva Conventions”.
About Israel's collective punishment of civilians in Gaza
Since June 2006, the occupying power Israel has imposed a land, air and sea blockade on the Gaza Strip, which is illegal under Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention on Collective Punishment, which covers restrictions on movement. Gaza is called the world's largest prison.
The collective punishment of civilians is a clear violation of international law, cf. article 33 of the Geneva Convention; “No protected person may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited”.
International humanitarian law prohibits collective punishment of prisoners of war or other protected persons for acts committed by individuals during an armed conflict. Collective punishment is a war crime.
About Israel's attacks on civilians
The deliberate targeting of civilians is prohibited under the core principles of international humanitarian law, as set out in the 1949 Geneva Conventions and later, in more detail, in the 1977 Additional Protocols.
Article 3 of the Third Geneva Convention prohibits: “violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment, and torture” against people who are “taking no active part in the hostilities.”
Article 51 of the Additional Protocols states that civilians "shall not be the object of attack" and that "acts or threats of violence the primary purpose of which is to spread fear and terror among the civilian population are prohibited."
There is also something called the "principle of distinction" from the Additional Protocols. This means that parties to a conflict must distinguish between combatants and civilians, i.e. non-combatants, so that the latter are not harmed.
About Israel's attacks on civilian areas with the presence of armed groups
Israel has said that its airstrikes are targeting Hamas military infrastructure and weapons storage facilities in Gaza. They have also announced their plan on extensive land invasion with the aim of removing Hamas from power. Israeli officials have accused Hamas and other militant groups of hiding and operating among civilians in Gaza, home to around 2 million people.
International humanitarian law attempts to limit the scale and intensity of military action in civilian areas, which includes much of Gaza.
Article 51 of the Additional Protocols of the Geneva Convention also prohibits "indiscriminate" attacks on an area containing both military and civilians, given the risk that the attack may harm the latter.
It says that one definition of this would be any attack that "is expected to cause incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians, damage to civilian objects, or a combination thereof, which would be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated."
This is called the "principle of proportionality".
About Israel's use of white phosphorus in Gaza
White phosphorus is an industrial chemical with flammable properties. When a munition explodes, the chemical inside creates a thick, white smoke. White phosphorus can burn human flesh to the bone and can even re-ignite when bandages are removed because it reacts to oxygen.
The UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons prohibits the use of incendiary weapons in civilian areas.
According to an analysis by Human Rights Watch, a video shows the Israeli military using white phosphorus in Gaza.
About Israel's attacks on schools, hospitals, cultural institutions and mosques in Gaza
The Geneva Conventions contain several provisions prohibiting attacks on hospitals, schools or religious buildings such as mosques or synagogues.
"Under no circumstances shall civilian hospitals designed to care for the wounded and sick, the infirm and infants be the object of attack," states Article 18 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, while Article 53 of the Additional Protocols states that it is prohibited "to commit hostile acts against historical monuments, works of art or places of worship which constitute the cultural or spiritual heritage of peoples."
The Danish Position’s changes over time:
Denmark’s default position for the years 2021-25:
As stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
“Denmark’s strategic vision in Palestine 2021-25 is to support a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the realization of a two-state solution, while also striving to promote stability in the region and improving the lives of Palestinians, who are caught in the conflict.
Three strategic objectives support the strategic vision:
1) Human rights and democratic accountability
2) Creation of green, sustainable, inclusive economic growth and decent jobs
3) Resilience, peace and stability”
Denmark’s response to October 7th:
Mette Frederiksen 22nd October post:
She writes about condolences for the Palestinian people while clearly supporting Israel in their position:
“I’m deeply affected by the many children in particular who have been affected. Israel must protect civilians according to international humanitarian law and we are sending more money from Denmark for humanitarian help.”
“anyone who happens to cheer for the gruesome things happening to the Palestinians.”
“Jeg har sendt en meget klar besked til Netanyahu om opbakning fra dansk side”
Denmark’s voice in this:
Position of Denmark in this
First world country.
Dependent on American imperialism for their cultural, political, and economical position.
Not yet condemned Israel’s actions.
The Kaospilot voice in this:
Position of ourselves within Denmark
Changemakers.
Empathy.
Systemic concerns.
