The most extensive crimes against humanity during World War II occurred in those countries where Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union destroyed state structures. The Holocaust began in territories where the occupation regime changed several times, and the population was left stateless after the destruction of states.

Statehood offered protection under occupation because, before declaring people non-human, their legal protection had to be taken away, creating conditions of general lawlessness. Jews with citizenship were much more likely to survive the Nazi occupation than stateless Jews; it was much harder to send French citizens to forced labor than stateless Poles.

President Alar Karis has aptly said in support of genocide prevention: "Our duty is to resist attempts to justify crimes against humanity. We must recognize and stop tyrannical aggression early. So that it is never too late, and so that we do not wake up tomorrow regretting what we failed to do today. This is the measure of both humanity and responsibility." This principle applies to all peoples — democracy cannot accept genocide.

The Israeli government has declared Palestinians living in Gaza as sub-human. The military blockade and illegal occupation practiced by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank contradict our own historical experience of anti-colonialism and European values.

The International Court of Justice has made its preliminary ruling. The charge of genocide against Israel is credible. The court has also found Israel guilty of the crime of apartheid. The court has placed responsibility on all countries and the UN to take measures to stop Israel's violations of international law. According to this ruling, all countries are obligated to review their diplomatic, political, and economic relations with Israel and impose arms embargoes and sanctions.

All states that are parties to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, including Estonia, must do everything in their power to prevent genocide. Otherwise, these countries may be considered accomplices.

Supporting the development of Palestinian statehood is the only right next step. Recently, the first step in this direction was taken: Estonia expressed support for Palestine’s full membership in the UN. The next step would be full diplomatic recognition of the State of Palestine, as done by some of our allies, such as Ukraine, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Spain, Georgia, Ireland, Slovenia, Slovakia, and others. This would show that Estonia stands for international law in all situations, not only when it is convenient for us.

This is not only our moral obligation but also important for ensuring Estonia's own security. As President Lennart Meri once said, and Kersti Kaljulaid recently reminded us: "International law is a small nation's nuclear weapon."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in May this year: "When the war is over, and people understand what happened in Gaza, we will witness one of the darkest moments of the 21st century. I want the Spanish people to be proud that their government and country stood on the right side of history — both in Ukraine and in Palestine."

I sincerely hope that the steps taken by Estonian politicians will be ones that the Estonian state and its citizens will not have to be ashamed of in the future.

Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vWiGYxmmkTdu4p9m3ys0-Fu1CybdWmcbCjsZS1rWkTk

1. International law applies equally to everyone, and Estonia must take the following steps:
2. Officially recognize the State of Palestine, as has been done by 146 out of 193 UN member states, including Ukraine, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Spain, Georgia, Ireland, Slovenia, Slovakia, and others.
3. Acknowledge the rulings of the International Court of Justice. Estonia must do everything in its power to prevent genocide. Demand that Israel restore access to water and electricity in Gaza. Demand that Israel allow UN investigators into Gaza to investigate the genocide allegations.
4. Acknowledge the ICC arrest warrant if it is issued against Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders.
5. Pressure Israel to comply with international law. Implement necessary sanctions and an arms embargo to achieve this. Sever diplomatic and economic relations if Israel continues to disregard international law, including violations of the Geneva Conventions and UN resolutions.