Chile-led campaign seeks 'Israel's' expulsion from UN

A non-governmental campaign based in Chile is escalating an international effort to invoke Article 6 of the United Nations Charter, calling for the expulsion of 'Israel' from the global body.

Organizers cite what they describe as "continuous and systematic violations" of international law and UN resolutions concerning the Palestinian territory, particularly in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The campaign, which reportedly aims to officially launch on November 26 in Santiago, is centered on a petition addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres. As of the stated reports, the petition has gathered over 57,000 signatures, with a goal of reaching 100,000.

Allegations of 'Compound War Crimes' and Diplomatic Context

Organizers of the drive emphasize the extreme severity of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, framing 'Israeli' military actions as "compound war crimes" involving civilian casualties, destruction of medical facilities, and the creation of mass starvation and thirst.

Beyond expulsion, the campaign demands an immediate arms embargo on 'Israel' and the severance of institutional ties from international forums.

This grassroots initiative follows a pattern of strong diplomatic actions and statements from the Chilean government, led by President Gabriel Boric, expressing deep concern over the conflict.

• Official Actions: Chile has previously recalled its ambassador to 'Israel' for consultations and formally joined South Africa's lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning the alleged violation of the Genocide Convention. President Boric has also made statements critical of 'Israeli' actions in Gaza, drawing diplomatic friction.
• Focus on International Law: The government has repeatedly stressed the need for 'Israel' to "cease its military operation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, allow the entry of humanitarian aid, and respect international law and international humanitarian law."

The UN Charter's Expulsion Clause

The campaign specifically targets Article 6 of the UN Charter, which stipulates that: "A Member of the United Nations which has persistently violated the Principles contained in the present Charter may be expelled from the Organization by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council."

Precedent and Procedure: Expulsion from the UN is a rarely invoked and highly political procedure. No member state has ever been successfully expelled under Article 6. Historically, a 1982 proposal to expel 'Israel' failed, as did a 1974 attempt against South Africa for its apartheid policy. The procedure requires a recommendation from the UN Security Council, where any of the five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) can exercise a veto.

The Chilean-led campaign highlights the significant public and governmental frustration in parts of the global community with the lack of a definitive resolution to the decades-long Israeli occupation of Palestine and the recent genocide in Gaza.