NGO Action News – 4 January 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 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 3 January, Gisha – Legal Centre for Freedom of Movement published an infographic illustrating the number of truckloads of aid that have entered Gaza since 7 October 2023. It indicates that although Israel began permitting humanitarian aid into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom Crossing on 17 December, the amount of aid still falls short of the need.
• On 29 December, Al-Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights issued a press release commending South Africa for instituting proceedings before the International Court of Justice on Israel’s responsibility for genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. BADIL – Resource Centre for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights issued a similar press release, also calling on other third states to join and support the South African request or take their own initiatives to activate universal jurisdiction measures.
• On 28 December, Peace Now reported on the conference it held on 22 December in Tel Aviv which was attended by over 1,000 people. The conference was focused on the aftermath of the war in Gaza and solutions for a peaceful future for both Israelis and Palestinians.
• On 27 December, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association published an article highlighting the arrest of human rights activist and academic researcher, Khalida Jarrar, at her home in Ramallah on 26 December, a few days after she had published research on violations against prisoners during the war on Gaza. The article notes her arrest is part of a more widespread Israeli policy of persecuting human rights activists and former prisoners.

Asia and Europe

• In a press release on 3 January, the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network called on the Australian Government to issue a statement of support for South Africa’s application to the International Court of Justice against Israel on alleged genocide violations in Gaza.
• On 3 January, Association France Palestine Solidarité published an article (in French) detailing a series of Israeli attacks in Gaza since the beginning of 2024, with at least 10 killings reported.
• On 3 January, Agence Média Palestine published an article (in French) noting that statements made by several Israeli officials indicate they are considering a plan to ethnically cleanse the Gaza Strip through a total deportation of the population.
• On 2 January, the Association Belgo-Palestinienne issued a press release (in French) highlighting a hunger strike by Palestinian journalist Omar Abu Karem El Aedi, who said he would not eat until Belgian authorities take action to pressure Israel to establish a ceasefire and end the bloodshed in Gaza.
• On 26 December, the Norwegian Refugee Council published a press release warning that any attempts by Israel to deport and permanently displace Palestinians within and from Gaza would constitute a serious breach of international law, amounting to an atrocity crime.

North America

• On 6 January, The People’s Forum will hold a screening and discussion in New York City of the documentary film titled “Between Two Crossings.” The film, which is part of a Gaza film series, tells the story of a Palestinian student who struggles to travel from Gaza to the U.S. after she receives a scholarship to study at a university in Oregon.
• On 3 January, Human Rights Watch published an article noting that thousands of workers from Gaza were detained by Israel following the 7 October attacks and held incommunicado for weeks. Some of them were subjected to inhumane and degrading conditions, and thousands remain stranded in the occupied West Bank without valid legal status and vulnerable to arrest.
• From 22 to 31 December, Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA) published four articles to “Salute the Heroes” in the war on Gaza—the civilians and noncombatants who are carrying out their duties under extremely difficult conditions. They specifically focused on journalists, medical personnel, UNRWA workers, and “followers of the Golden Rule.”
• On 21 December, the Malcom H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center held a policy webinar titled “The Gaza War: national, Regional, and Global Economic Ramifications.”
• On 21 December, Human Rights Watch published a report titled “Meta’s Broken Promises: Systemic Censorship of Palestine Content on Instagram and Facebook,” which documents a pattern of undue removal and suppression of protected speech, including peaceful expression in support of Palestine and public debate about Palestinian human rights.

United Nations

• On 29 December, the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General issued a statement expressing concern over the risk of spillover of the conflict in Gaza, which could have devastating consequences for the entire region. The Secretary-General urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and take steps to de-escalate tensions in the region.
• On 29 December, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Khaled Khiari gave a statement to the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. He said the situation was “alarming” and said the risk of regional spillover of the conflict remained high.
• On 28 December, OHCHR issued a press release drawing attention to a report detailing the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since 7 October.
• On 28 December, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Adele Khodr, issued a statement noting that 2023 had been the deadliest year on record for children in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
• On 26 December, Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Ms. Sigrid Kaag of the Netherlands as Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2720 (2023). Ms. Kaag is expected to begin her assignment on 8 January 2024.
• On 26 December, OHCHR issued a statement expressing grave concern over the continued bombardment of Middle Gaza by Israeli forces, particularly as it came after Israeli forces ordered residents from the south of Wadi Gaza to move to Middle Gaza.
• On 22 December, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2720 (2023) which, among other points, demands immediate, safe, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip.
• On 22 December, Paula Gaviria Betancur, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, made a statement warning that Israel was seeking to permanently alter the composition of Gaza’s population with evacuation orders and systematic attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in southern areas of the Strip.
• On 22 December, UNICEF issued a statement drawing attention to a report issued by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification that indicated a very high risk of famine in the Gaza Strip.
• On 21 December, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination adopted a decision under its early warning and urgent action procedures, expressing concern over hate speech and dehumanising discourse targeted at Palestinians, and highlighted Israel’s and other State parties’ obligation to prevent crimes against humanity and genocide.
• On 20 December, the International Labour Organization published an article noting that at least 66 per cent of employment in the Gaza Strip has been wiped out due to the ongoing hostilities.