NGO Action News – 07 November 2024

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This newsletter informs about recent and upcoming activities of Civil Society Organizations working on the question of Palestine. The Committee and the Division for Palestinian Rights of the UN Secretariat provide the information “as is” without warranty of any kind, and do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, or reliability of the information contained in the websites linked in the newsletter.

You may find previous issues of the NGO Action News in Spanish here.

You may find issues of the NGO Action News in French here.

You may find issues of the NGO Action News in Arabic here.

Middle East

• On 13 November, Scientists for Palestine will organise the webinar “Moral Abdication. On the Consent to the Destruction of the Palestinians of Gaza.” Didier Fassin, an anthropologist, sociologist and physician, will discuss how the history of the occupation of Palestine and the oppression of Palestinians has been negated, and how the unequal worth of Israeli and Palestinian lives and the differential treatment of deaths have been normalized, among other issues.
• On 3 November, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights published the article “Israel’s Violations of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law in the West Bank in October 2024”. The NGO provided updates on several alleged crimes committed by Israeli forces and settlers against Palestinians, including wilful killings, destruction of public and private property, arrests, and threats.
• On 2 November, Addameer marked International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, recalling that for decades Palestinian journalists have faced various forms of violations, including arrests, mistreatment, beatings, and ongoing harassment. The NGO added that the arrest of journalists is a blatant crime against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Global Declaration on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, and called on the international community to take action to stop these practices.
• On 31 October, Al Shabaka published the podcast “A Year of Ongoing Genocide in Gaza”. Al-Shabaka board president Tareq Baconi and co-director Yara Hawari reflected on the year since the start of what they consider to be a genocide in Gaza and discussed its ramifications for the Palestinian liberation movement, the region and beyond.

Africa, Asia and Europe

• On 5 November, Law for Palestine published the summary of the hybrid event “Palestine, Israel, and International Law: The Long View and Since October 2023”. The event brought together scholars, practitioners, and experts to discuss the evolving legal implications of the war on Palestine. The conversation centred on key international legal frameworks, human rights, and the future of justice and accountability.
• On 31 October, the Palestinian Return Centre published a summary of its recent virtual panel discussion “Britain and Palestine: 107 Years of the Ramifications of Balfour”, to explore the lasting impacts of the Balfour Declaration on Palestinian rights, British colonialism, and its ongoing global ramifications. Moderated by activist Farrah Kouteineh, the event featured several speakers including Irish socialist and human rights advocate Tommy McKearney; political expert Saeb Shaath; investigative journalist David Cronin; and human rights advocate Maryam Al Dossari.
• On 30 October, the Norwegian Refugee Council published an article on the difficulties for humanitarian actors to match the needs of the population in Gaza in terms of emergency shelter. The NGO stated that the needs were immense, and resources scarce, adding that Israeli bombardments have destroyed or damaged most of Gaza’s housing stock, while the lack of shelter materials due to Israeli restrictions on aid and access within Gaza remained a significant burden.

North America

• On 1 November, the Foundation for Middle East Peace and the Middle East Institute held the webinar “Israel’s UNRWA Ban: What it means for Gaza, the UN and the World”. Panellists included Roland Friedrich, Director of UNRWA Affairs in the West Bank; Mona Jebril, Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge; Alexander Smith, former USAID official; and was moderated by Khaled Elgindy, Middle East Institute, and Lara Friedman, Foundation for Middle East Peace.
• On 1 November, Friends of Sabeel North America published an article on the recent Israeli laws banning UNRWA from operating in Israel and territories under its control. The NGO stated that UNRWA is a constant reminder of the unresolved Palestinian refugee crisis and the refugees’ aspiration to fulfil their right of return to their homes and properties in Palestine.

United Nations

• On 6 November, OCHA published the report “Responding to emergency needs amidst shrinking humanitarian space in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” covering the period January-June 2024. The document highlights some of the work that was done by humanitarian actors in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It aims to spotlight some of the innovations and personal stories of how the UN, INGOs and NGOs have influenced the lives of people they seek to assist.
• On 1 November, Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee issued a statement calling for the end of the assault on Palestinians in Gaza and on those trying to help them. The leaders of 15 United Nations and humanitarian organizations urged all parties fighting in Gaza to protect civilians and called on the State of Israel to cease its assault on Gaza and on the humanitarian workers. The signatories described the situation unfolding in North Gaza as apocalyptic: the area has been under siege for almost a month, denied basic aid and life-saving supplies while bombardment and other attacks continue.
• On 31 November, the Bureau of the UN Palestinian Rights Committee denounced the Israeli parliament’s adoption of two bills in regard to UNRWA to outright ban the Agency and strip it of its privileges and immunities as a United Nations entity, obstructing its ability to carry out its essential operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, as mandated by the General Assembly. This unprecedented illegal action by Israel, the Occupying Power, contravenes the United Nations Charter, the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, and countless relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. On the same issue, UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, addressed the General Assembly on 6 November, asking that Member States act to prevent the implementation of the legislation against UNRWA.
• On 30 November, the Chair of the UN Palestinian Rights Committee, Ambassador Cheikh Niang, addressed the Security Council, emphasizing the profound urgency to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, the escalating threat to the United Nations operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and the imperative for implementation of the significant General Assembly resolution regarding the ICJ Advisory Opinion on the illegality of the Israeli occupation.