In a significant diplomatic and legal development, nine countries have announced the formation of “The Hague Group”, a coalition committed to holding Israel accountable for war crimes and genocide in Palestine, upholding international law, and working toward an end to the Israeli occupation. The initiative, unveiled on January 31, 2025, in The Hague, Netherlands, signals a major escalation in international efforts to counter Israeli violations and enforce global legal mechanisms.
The founding members of The Hague Group—Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal, and South Africa—affirmed their commitment to implementing binding international rulings against Israel and ensuring justice for the Palestinian people.
Legal Foundation and International Rulings
The establishment of the coalition follows a series of landmark legal decisions at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), which have placed Israel under unprecedented legal scrutiny. The group referenced:
- The ICJ ruling in South Africa v. Israel (December 2023), which expressed serious concerns over genocide in Gaza.
- The ICC arrest warrants (November 2024) for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including intentionally targeting civilians, starvation as a method of warfare, and mass murder.
- The ICJ’s 2024 Advisory Opinion, which reinforced the illegality of Israeli settlements and Israel’s obligations under international law.
Concrete Measures to Block Military Support for Israel
The Hague Group has pledged to take practical measures aimed at curbing Israel’s capacity to sustain its military operations against Palestinians. These include:
- Halting Arms Transfers – The coalition vowed to prevent the provision or transfer of weapons, munitions, and related equipment to Israel, citing the clear risk of their use in war crimes and genocide.
- Blocking Military Supply Routes – Member states committed to preventing the docking of ships carrying military fuel and weaponry to Israel in their ports, reinforcing their legal obligation to prevent genocide and violations of humanitarian law.
- Supporting International Prosecutions – The coalition reaffirmed its full cooperation with the ICC and pledged to enforce arrest warrants issued against Israeli officials in accordance with international law.
A Turning Point in Global Efforts Against Israeli Occupation
The formation of The Hague Group marks an unprecedented step in international legal and diplomatic efforts to hold Israel accountable, as no previous coalition of sovereign nations has taken such an open and coordinated stance against Israeli violations.
The group’s initiative reflects mounting global pressure to enforce international law and signals a widening rift between Israel and the Global South, where growing solidarity with Palestine has translated into diplomatic and legal action.
In their inaugural statement, the nine countries called on all nations to adopt effective measures to end Israel’s occupation of Palestine and to cease all military and political support that enables ongoing violations.
As international scrutiny over Israeli actions intensifies, The Hague Group’s formation marks a turning point in global efforts to enforce accountability, uphold international law, and advance Palestinian self-determination.
