Environmental Racism and Occupation in International Law: The Case of Palestine

This article examines the rules governing environmental racism and the discriminatory allocation of environmental burdens based on race or ethnicity in situations of occupation under international law, with a particular focus on Palestine under prolonged Israeli occupation. I argue that Israel’s systematic exploitation and degradation of the Palestinian environment – including illegal settlements, neglect of wastewater and hazardous waste disposal – amounts to environmental racism and eco-apartheid. These practices violate key norms under international humanitarian, human rights law and environmental law. Drawing on the recent International Court of Justice advisory opinion, multilateral environmental agreements, provisions of the law of occupation and other relevant human rights, the article explores the applicable legal framework and proposes concrete remedies, including restitution, compensation and satisfaction. It concludes by calling for enforceable accountability mechanisms to uphold the environmental rights of occupied populations and ensure equitable access to natural resources as a matter of justice and human dignity.