24 August 2018 

Middle East

• On 21 August, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and Adalah- The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel demanded an immediate independent criminal investigation into the Israeli military’s aerial attack that wounded 24 people and destroyed a cultural center in the Gaza Strip earlier this month. The two NGOs used Articles 52, 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and First Protocol; and Article 27 of the Hague Convention to denounce the destruction of a civilian institution and cultural properties.

• On 19 August, Adalah- The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel denounced the response of the Israeli government to the Supreme Court with regards to the petition against the Settlement Regularization Law. The petition was filed previously by Adalah, Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights (JLAC), and Al Mezan Center for Human Rights on behalf of 17 local Palestinian authorities in the West Bank. Adalah and petitioners argued that the Knesset was not permitted to enact and impose laws in the Occupied Territory.

• On 19 August, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) published its report on the “State of the Gaza Strip Border Crossings” for the month of July 2018. PCHR spoke of the tightening restrictions from Israel on the commercial crossings, preventing the entry of goods into Gaza, except for some humanitarian goods, in addition to a complete ban on exports from Gaza. PHCR also denounced new restrictions on the limited categories of persons allowed to travel out of Gaza, with an extended time required for the processing of exit permit applications (70 days instead of 24).

• On 16 August, Hamoked informed about its submission of a freedom-of-information request to the Israel Prison Service (IPS), requesting data on the number of Palestinian minors from Jerusalem and the West Bank held in IPS detention facilities and categorized as “security detainees.” Information communicated by IPS show a majority of boys 16-17-year olds are held in prisons inside Israel for interrogation or waiting to be charged or tried.

• On 16 August, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) concluded a human rights training of trainers (TOT) course for activists in the Gaza Strip. The 35-hour course was attended by 26 participants in addition to PCHR’s board of directors; and was designed to teach training methodology, psychology of perception and communication skills; as well as practical applications.

• On 12 August, Gisha, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, Hamoked, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, Adalah and Physicians for Human Rights Israel announced that they had submitted a petition to the High Court of Justice, demanding that the Court instruct the state to immediately reverse all restrictions imposed by Israel on the movement of goods through the Kerem Shalom Crossing – the main lifeline for the two million people living in the Gaza Strip and about half whom were children.

United Nations

• On 22 August, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary di Carlo delivered a briefing to the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East. She underlined UN efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza and its work with the Governments of Israel and Palestine on the Reconstruction Mechanism to improve its functionality and transparency.

• On 16 August, UNRWA Commissioner-General delivered a statement during the extraordinary meeting of the Agency’s Advisory Commission. The Commissioner-General spoke of the critical funding gap, which forced the Agency to reduce its emergency services in the West Bank and Gaza and the local jobs cut that ensued, impacting further on the unemployment rate in Gaza. Most importantly, he announced UNRWA’s decision to open its schools in the West Bank, Gaza and the region, underlining the “deep commitment to protecting the dignity of Palestine refugees, the core of its service delivery and its mandate.”

Europe

• On 23 August, the EU spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a statement on the latest settlements’ announcements by the Israeli authorities. The EU stated it was strongly opposed to Israel’s settlement policy, which is illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace. It called for the resumption of a meaningful process towards a negotiated two-state solution, “the only realistic and viable way to fulfil the legitimate aspirations of both parties.”

• On 20 August, the Palestinian Return Centre and other migrants and human rights advocacy groups based in the UK issued a joint letter to reaffirm their fundamental right to the freedom of expression and to publicly express concern about the suppression of information on the history of their communities. They denounced groups in the US that deliberately increase hatred, fear and confusion and the “coordinated efforts” aimed at dismantling UNRWA. They called for UK politicians and public bodies to uphold the principles of the Human Rights Act.

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.