10 June 2021

Middle East

• On 9 June, Al-Haq issued a press release welcoming the drafting and tabling of a bill in the Chilean Parliament prohibiting the importation of goods produced in and sourced from illegal settlements in occupied territories. If passed, the bill will prevent the importation of any goods, products, or services originating in Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).

• On 7 June, HaMoked – Center for the Defence of the Individual informed that it had engaged the Israeli National Insurance Institute to reverse a decision to revoke health insurance and other social security rights for East Jerusalem residents, without any legal basis, or advance notice, or holding a hearing. Such a decision constituted a severe and disproportionate violation of basic constitutional rights, among them the rights to human dignity, health and bodily integrity.

• On 5 June, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights issued a press release on the occasion of World Environment Day, in which the NGO warns about the environmental impact of Israel’s military activities in Gaza. This includes, among others, the intensive use of explosive devices, which have produced large amounts of debris and rubble that contribute significantly to air and soil pollution. Similarly, Israel’s weapons, aircraft, and vehicles have also created constant noise pollution.

United Nations

• On 1 July, the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People will organise, with support from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the 2021 International Conference on the Question of Jerusalem, under the theme “Forced demographic change in Jerusalem – Grave breaches and a threat to peace”. The virtual event will aim to enhance the understanding of the prevailing realities caused by the ongoing Israeli policies and practices to change the demographics and status quo in occupied East Jerusalem, with a special focus on evictions of Palestinians from their homes and demolitions of Palestinian houses and other structures in the City, and exploring means of addressing such violations in order to advance a just and peaceful resolution of the question of Palestine based on international law and the relevant UN resolutions.

The invited panellists will highlight specific aspects of the issue, including (1) evictions and demolitions under international law and ongoing efforts to challenge these policies and practices; (2) the role of non-State actors; (3) the roles and responsibilities of Member States under international law to oppose ongoing violations and ensure accountability; and (4) the broader issue of Jerusalem as a final status issue.

This newsletter informs about recent and upcoming activities of Civil Society Organizations affiliated with the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. 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.