It is a responsibility for a government like me to stand in Israel. Too many failed | Gustavo Petro

The world has watched Benjamin Netanyahu lead a devastating campaign for the past 600 days Gazathe escalation of regional conflicts, and the reckless abandonment of international law throughout.

My government cannot afford to be passive. In September 2024, when we voted for the UN General Assembly resolution of Israeli policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory, we assumed specific obligations – investigation, prosecution, sanctions, asset freezes and imports and quit smoking. The resolution sets a 12-month deadline for Israel to “end its illegal existence.” One hundred and twenty-four states Vote for supportincluding Colombia. The clock is now ticking.

At the same time, however, too many states allow strategic calculations to go beyond our responsibilities. While we may face the threat of retribution when we defend international law – South Africa Discovery The United States retaliates In the case of the International Court of Justice, it will be terrible that the consequences of abdicating our duties will be terrible. If we do not act now, we will not only betray the Palestinian people, but will also be atrocities committed by the Netanyahu government.

Some governments have strengthened. My government suspends coal exports Israelfor example, recognize that economic ties cannot be different from moral responsibility. Meanwhile, South Africa has brought Israel to the world’s Supreme Court. Malaysia has banned all Israeli-signed cargo ships from docking at its ports. Without such decisive action, we have the potential to turn the multilateral system into a talkative shop, thus depriving its remaining protective order of small, developing and less privileged countries – from West Asia to Latin America.

The next test for the international community is coming. On July 15, my government, together with South Africa (co-chair of the Hague Group), will convene an emergency meeting on Gaza, calling on ministers from states around the world to consider the multilateral defense of international law. Our goal is simple: introducing specific legal, diplomatic and economic measures that can prevent Israel’s destruction and adhere to the basic principle that no state is above the law.

Invitations are open and urgent. The indefinitely postponed the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, creating critical vacancy in the multilateral leadership, where most needed.

The United Nations has declared Gaza “The Hungest Place on Earth”, and the mission of sending aid to Gaza is “one of the most hindered people in recent history.” In this horrible humanitarian context, the Bogota emergency conference convened states from condemnation to collective action. By cutting back on our accomplices (our state courts, ports and factories, we can challenge the vision of Donald Trump and Donald Trump and Netanyanahu.

The choices before us are distinct and ruthless. We can firmly defend the legal principles that seek to prevent war and conflict, or be helpless as the international system collapses under the weight of unchecked power politics. Let’s be the protagonist – not the job seeker.

The stakes cannot be higher for billions of people in the global south that rely on international law to protect. The Palestinian people deserve justice. That moment requires courage. If we cannot answer the phone, history will judge us harshly.