UN calls to exclude Israel from the Council of Europe... What are the reasons?
In a striking move, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, called for Israel's exclusion from the Council of Europe. Albanese emphasized that member states of international organizations are obligated under international law not to provide any support to a state that flagrantly and systematically violates fundamental principles of international law and human rights.
This call comes in the wake of recent Israeli legislation and decisions, most notably the Knesset's passage last March of a law allowing the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners convicted of carrying out attacks against Israeli targets. This legislation constitutes a direct violation of one of the most important principles of the Council of Europe, namely the complete abolition of the death penalty, which is a prerequisite for membership in the Council.
General context: The Council of Europe and Israel's status
The Council of Europe was founded in 1949 as a leading international organization dedicated to defending human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Europe. It currently comprises 46 member states, all of which are required to sign the European Convention on Human Rights. Although Israel is not a European state, it has held observer status in the Council's Parliamentary Assembly since 1957, granting it a presence and influence in its discussions, but without voting rights.
The abolition of the death penalty is not merely a formality; it is an integral part of the Council's identity and core values. Therefore, Israel's legislation of the death penalty, even if directed at a specific group (Palestinians in the occupied West Bank), directly contradicts the spirit and principles of the organization in which it participates as an observer.
The importance of the call and its expected impact
Albanese's call carries significant political and legal dimensions. Internationally, this demand represents considerable diplomatic pressure on Israel, placing its relationship with European institutions under scrutiny. Should the Council of Europe adopt this call, it would set a precedent for holding observer states accountable for their violations and would send a strong message that enjoying the privileges of partnership with Europe requires respecting its values.
Domestically, this call could spark debate in Israel about the balance between its security policies and its international commitments or image. Regionally, it could encourage other countries and human rights organizations to increase pressure on Israel to comply with international law. Albanese emphasized that the “selectivity” in applying human rights standards within European institutions has allowed Israel to benefit from its status without real accountability, noting in a previous report that Israel has “effectively been given a license to torture Palestinians.”.
