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“The impact of Israeli settlement policies on the Palestinian population in Jerusalem”
Convened by the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) in cooperation with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
On Thursday, 20 July 2023, the Committee, in cooperation with the OIC, held the International Conference on the Question of Jerusalem under the theme “The impact of Israeli settlement policies on the Palestinian population in Jerusalem.” The event was livestreamed on UN Web TV.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, the forced displacement of Palestinians from their homes and lands around the time of the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. Since then, the Israeli occupation, through the ongoing dispossession of Palestinians in the occupied territory including East Jerusalem, has prevented the attainment of a just and lasting solution of the Palestinian cause.
The event aimed at raising awareness with international audiences – Member States, civil society, the public and the media about the ongoing Israel’s settlement expansion resulting in human rights violations and demographic changes that continue to threaten the presence of Palestinian Jerusalemites in the City.
The event opened with remarks by the Chair of the Committee, a UN Senior Official, a Senior representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation as well as the Deputy Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine.
These remarks were followed by a panel conversation that included:
Mr. Munir Nuseibah, Director of Al-Quds Human Rights Clinic and Community Action Centre, who discussed “Best legal practices for Palestinians in Israeli Courts: The cases of Silwan and Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhoods.”
Dr Dov Baum, Director of Economic Activism, American Friends Service Committee who presented the topic “Importance of economic activism to counter Israeli settlements policies.”
Mr. Josh Ruebner, Director of Government Relations at the Institute for Middle East Understanding who offered a perspective on “Congressional advocacy around the settlements expansion.”
Ms. Nur Arafeh, Fellow at the Malcom H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Centre who joined as Discussant to enrich the debate.
The panel was followed by a Question-and-Answer session.
Participants in the Zoom event consisted of the invited panelists, Committee Members/ Observers and other Member States. While participation in the virtual platform was limited to UN Member and Observer States as well as the panelists, the general public was able to submit questions in advance and during the event via the Committee Facebook page, Twitter account, email and WhatsApp.