United Nations Forum to Mark Fifty Years of Occupation, 29-30 June 2017, United Nations Headquarters, New York

To mark fifty years of the Israeli occupation that began in 1967, the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People convened a two-day forum at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in June 2017. A day-long event entitled “Ending the Occupation: The Path to Independence, Justice, and Peace for Palestine” was held on 29 June, followed by a civil society forum entitled “Ending the Occupation: Creating the Space for Human Rights, Development, and a Just Peace”on 30 June. The forum was organised in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 71/20 and 71/21 of 30 November 2016. It brought together international experts, including from the State of Palestine and Israel, representatives of the diplomatic community, civil society, as well as academics and students to discuss the ongoing occupation in a series of moderated interactive panels. The forum was open to the public and the media. 

Links to the full UNTV Videos of the Forum Sessions

29 June – Ending the Occupation: The Path to Independence, Justice, and Peace for Palestine

• Opening Session
• Panel I – The Costs and Consequences of Fifty Years of Occupation (starting at 00:31:50)
• Statements of Intergovernmental Organizations (starting at 2:06:00)
  • Statements of Member States and Intergovernmental Organization (written statements submitted to date)
• Panel II – Beyond Occupation: The Path ahead to Palestinian Independence and a Just Peace

For questions or additional information, please contact the UN Division for Palestinian rights at: dpr-meeting@un.org
30 June – Ending the Occupation: Creating the Space for Human Rights, Development, and a Just Peace (Civil Society Forum)

• Welcome Remarks & Keynote Address
• Panel I – The Gaza Strip: An Integral Part of the State of Palestine (starting at 00:54:00)
• Panel II – Enforcement of International Law and Accountability: How to Make a Difference?
• Panel III – Beyond Occupation: In Search of a Just and Lasting Peace (starting at 01:47:00)