Middle East

• On 20 December, Al-Haq published the joint statement it delivered on behalf of itself, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights and Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, during the General Debate of the 20th session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This statement, initially delivered at the ASP session on 8 December, asserted that the ASP has a unique responsibility to address the Israeli baseless designations of Palestinian organisations as “terrorist organisations”. It urged State Parties to act swiftly and decisively to protect human rights defenders in Palestine.

• On 20 December, Gisha published an article informing that Israeli navy has continued to seize fishermen’s boats in Gaza’s fishing zone. Gisha further informed that Israel routinely seizes boats in Gaza’s territorial waters and holds them for months, even years, without legal authority and in contravention of international law, severely debilitating what was historically a major economic sector in the Strip.

Europe

• On 17 December, Association France Palestine Solidarité published an article calling for a public support to the six Palestinian CSOs designated as “terrorist organizations” by Israeli authorities. The association published links to the campaign #StandWithThe6 and to a petition supporting these organizations.

North America

• On 17 December, the Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP) published the proceedings of the webinar “2021 Review/2022 Preview: Challenges & Opportunities on the Road to Palestinian Rights”. In this episode of “Occupied Thoughts”, FMEP hosted Palestinian organizer Fadi Quran and FMEP Non-resident Fellow Peter Beinart for a wide-ranging conversation about 2021’s most defining events when it comes to the lived reality of Palestinians and Israelis on the ground, as well as US politics on the issue. The panel also made predictions for what might unfold in 2022.

United Nations

• On 21 December, the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, briefed the Security Council in the situation in the Middle East, and reported on the implementation of UNSCR 2334. Mr. Wennesland expressed his continued concern over recent developments in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in particular the deteriorating security situation adding that it was crucial that all parties take immediate steps to lower tensions and restore calm. The Special Coordinator further raised concerns over Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as over the risk of potential eviction of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem. Mr. Wennesland stressed that the  situation must be reversed, adding that strengthening the Palestinian Authority is critical to maintaining stability on the ground.

• On 17 December, the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, issued a statement raising concerns over escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Mr. Wennesland highlighted the volatility of the current situation and the urgency for all political, religious and community leaders to speak up and reject violence, condemning all acts of violence and terrorism and appealing to all sides to deescalate the situation.

• On 16 December, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lynn Hastings, launched a US$510 million Humanitarian Response Plan to support 1.6 million of the most vulnerable people in Gaza and in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, during 2022. The Plan will address Palestinians’ need for improved food security, health, protection against rights violations, education, shelter, water, hygiene, and sanitation.

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.