We do not recognize the legitimacy of Israel's conduct. Sign the manifesto.
We do not recognize the legitimacy of Israel's conduct. Sign the manifesto.
The Issue
On October 12, 2023, Human Rights Watch documented the use of white phosphorus munitions by the Israel Defense Forces in densely populated areas of Gaza and Lebanon. White phosphorus ignites spontaneously in oxygen, burns at over 800°C, penetrates human tissue, and cannot be extinguished with water. Using it over civilian areas is not a tactical error: it is a war crime under Article 8 of the Rome Statute.
This is the point at which silence ceases to be a tenable position.
The International Court of Justice, on January 26, 2024, found the genocide allegations brought by South Africa against Israel to be plausible and issued provisional measures. The International Criminal Court, on November 21, 2024, issued arrest warrants against Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. These are not political judgments: they are acts of the highest international judicial institutions.
International law, under the Articles on State Responsibility (ARSIWA, ILC/UN 2001, arts. 40–41), obliges States not to recognize as lawful the conduct arising from serious violations of peremptory norms, and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining such a situation.
We sign this manifesto to affirm that:
1. We do not recognize as lawful the military conduct of the State of Israel in Gaza and Lebanon.
2. We demand the immediate suspension of operations in violation of international humanitarian law.
3. We demand an arms embargo, suspension from UN specialized agencies, and full cooperation with the ICC and ICJ.
4. We affirm that no State stands above international law — no geopolitical exception is admissible.
This manifesto speaks to all those unwilling to accept documented abuses in silence. It speaks with equal force to every Israeli citizen and every Jew of the diaspora discriminated against for the actions of a government they did not choose or openly oppose. They bear no responsibility for these acts. The distinction between State and people is not a rhetorical concession: it is the foundation of any serious legal and moral reasoning.
The white phosphorus burning over Gaza also burns the legitimacy of an international system that looks away. We do not look away.
The full document with legal references is available at: https://iwillnotlookaway.org
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The Issue
On October 12, 2023, Human Rights Watch documented the use of white phosphorus munitions by the Israel Defense Forces in densely populated areas of Gaza and Lebanon. White phosphorus ignites spontaneously in oxygen, burns at over 800°C, penetrates human tissue, and cannot be extinguished with water. Using it over civilian areas is not a tactical error: it is a war crime under Article 8 of the Rome Statute.
This is the point at which silence ceases to be a tenable position.
The International Court of Justice, on January 26, 2024, found the genocide allegations brought by South Africa against Israel to be plausible and issued provisional measures. The International Criminal Court, on November 21, 2024, issued arrest warrants against Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. These are not political judgments: they are acts of the highest international judicial institutions.
International law, under the Articles on State Responsibility (ARSIWA, ILC/UN 2001, arts. 40–41), obliges States not to recognize as lawful the conduct arising from serious violations of peremptory norms, and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining such a situation.
We sign this manifesto to affirm that:
1. We do not recognize as lawful the military conduct of the State of Israel in Gaza and Lebanon.
2. We demand the immediate suspension of operations in violation of international humanitarian law.
3. We demand an arms embargo, suspension from UN specialized agencies, and full cooperation with the ICC and ICJ.
4. We affirm that no State stands above international law — no geopolitical exception is admissible.
This manifesto speaks to all those unwilling to accept documented abuses in silence. It speaks with equal force to every Israeli citizen and every Jew of the diaspora discriminated against for the actions of a government they did not choose or openly oppose. They bear no responsibility for these acts. The distinction between State and people is not a rhetorical concession: it is the foundation of any serious legal and moral reasoning.
The white phosphorus burning over Gaza also burns the legitimacy of an international system that looks away. We do not look away.
The full document with legal references is available at: https://iwillnotlookaway.org
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Petition created on June 7, 2026