IJL STATEMENT ON THE RELEASE OF 20 HOSTAGES
The International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (IJL) joins in the profound relief and joy at the return home of 20 of our hostages, reunited alive with their families after two unbearably long years in captivity. We also share in the grief of the four families whose loved ones were murdered and have now been brought back for burial.
Yet, the mission is not complete. Twenty-four abducted victims remain to be returned for burial in Israel, so that their families may find closure and begin to mourn their loss.
The abduction of 254 civilians and soldiers by the Hamas-led massacre on October 7, Simchat Torah - exactly two years ago - remains a deep wound for the entire Jewish people.
We express our deepest appreciation to all those who devoted themselves to the sacred efforts that led to this outcome, and mostly to President Donald J. Trump.
We are proud to have been part of the legal efforts that accompanied the Hostages and Missing Families Forum before various UN bodies.
We express our hope that the end of the war and the return of the hostages will mark the beginning of a new era in the Middle East - one of peace, security, and prosperity for the entire region.
October 2025
The International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (IJL) strives to advance human rights everywhere and international cooperation based on the rule of law, including the prevention of and accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
The Association is especially committed to issues that are on the agenda of the Jewish people and work to combat antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, Holocaust denial, and the delegitimization of the State of Israel.
IJL was founded in 1969. Among its founders were Supreme Court Justices Haim Cohn of Israel, Arthur Goldberg of the United States, and Nobel Prize laureate René Cassin of France. Our membership comprises lawyers, judges, judicial officers, and academic jurists in more than 50 countries, active locally and internationally as needed.
Membership is open to lawyers and jurists of all creeds who share our aims.
The IJL has an ECOSOC Special Consultative status as a nongovernmental organization (NGO) at the United Nations, enabling it to participate in the deliberations of various UN bodies. In this capacity, the representatives of the IJL have been especially involved in the work of the Human Rights Council in Geneva and of related bodies.
The Association also publishes Justice Magazine, which examines various relevant issues and current topics and is mailed to thousands of lawyers and jurists worldwide.
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Our parent body, the IJL, has prepared a statement on the Abuse Directed at Legal Officials, which can be read here. (29 August 24)​​
The IJL has made a submission in the proceedings in which the International Court of Justice has been asked by the UN General Assembly for an Advisory Opinion on Israel and “the Occupied Palestinian Territories”. Read the submission here. HMG has argued before the Court that it should decline to give an Opinion.
The IJL’s statement responding to the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on the "Legal Consequences Arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Including East Jerusalem" can be read here.
Read IJL's comments regarding the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister Yoav Gallant here.
Read IJL’s Amicus Brief Challenging ICC's Prosecutor’s Request to Issue Arrest Warrants for Israeli Leaders here.
Read IJL's letter to the United Nations for"rapid and decisive action for the immediate release of hostages in the Gaza Strip" (12/10/2023) here.
The IJL has issued a statement, following South Africa’s claim in the International Court of Justice that Israel is guilty of genocide in Gaza. Read it here.