1_March 2019, Ramallah – On the occasion of the International Women’s Day (8 March), a week-long joint campaign “My Rights, Our Power” was launched today in Palestine to raise awareness on women’s fundamental human rights. The joint effort, with participation from over 30 national and international partners from civil society organizations, media outlets, and international development agencies, targets youth, women, and men in various geographic areas in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza to promote women’s human rights in Palestine.

The campaign comes at a crucial moment when the anticipated adoption of the Family Protection Bill is at a standstill, raising concerns among national and international stakeholders about the consequences of such delay on safeguarding women’s fundamental human rights in Palestine. According to the Palestine report of the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES), nearly one in five Palestinian men (17 percent) surveyed said they had perpetrated act of physical intimate partner violence against female partners, while 21 per cent of women surveyed reported having experienced such violence.

“Family violence, usually committed by a family member who has social or economic power over others in the family, causes enormous pain and suffering to all members of the family, especially the women and children,” said a spokesperson from civil society, which has vigorously initiated the development of the Family Protection Bill (FPB), and has strongly pushed its adoption since 2004.

“The violation of women’s human rights manifests in various levels and should be also understood from economic, cultural, and social aspects,” the spokesperson added, highlighting the lack of opportunities and freedom of choice, as well as limited access to justice and services that women in Palestine still experience.

The joint campaign aims to raise awareness of the general public, especially youth, women, and men on women’s fundamental rights in line with international standards and embedded in the Family Protection Bill draft endorsed by the previous Cabinet at the end of December 2018. Five key messages, addressing women’s right to a life free of violence, right to achieve justice and seek help in case of violation of such life, as well as the right to equal opportunities and right to make one’s own choices, will be distributed through various channels such as radio, social media, helpline (121), outreach activities, and on-site events. The closing event of the joint campaign will take place on 8 March in Jerusalem and will celebrate women’s achievements using TED-style talks, followed by art performances.

“My Rights, Our Power” joint campaign is part of the global International Women’s Day 2019 campaign under the theme of “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”. The theme focuses on innovative ways in which we can advance gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly in the areas of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure, echoing the theme of the 63rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 63) taking place in New York on 11-22 March 2019.

The participating organizations of the “My Rights, Our Power” are (in alphabetical order): 17 Palestinian women’s organizations represented by Al-Muntada (coalition), British Consulate-General, Business Women Forum, CARE International, Consulate General of Sweden, Consulate General of Belgium, EUPOL COPPS, EU Representative Office, FAO, General Union of Palestinian Women, Government of Japan, CowaterSogema/GROW Project, International Labour Organization, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, Ma’an TV, MIFTAH, Netherlands Representative Office, Nisaa FM, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development, Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association, Representative Office of Canada, Representative Office of Denmark, SAWA, Sawasya II, Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, Sports for Life, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Representative Office of Norway, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNOPS, UN Women, Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counseling, Women’s Studies Center.

For more information, please contact Eunjin Jeong at UN Women via eunjin.jeong@unwomen.org or 059 2321 308, Majd Beltaji at UNESCO via m.beltaji@unesco.org or 059 4501 506.

Mr. President,

We thank France for organizing this important meeting and extend our appreciation to the Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary General, the Executive Director of UN Women, the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security and the Secretary-General of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie for their efforts and important briefings.

The issue before us is of relevance not only for half the planet, but to all, given the role and contribution of women in the fields of peace and security and the untapped potential that could be unleashed by mainstreaming their participation. Since the adoption by consensus of resolution 1325 by this Council, a lot has happened, and yet we are still far from the goal of full and equal participation, including in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building, and from ensuring the protection and empowerment of women. Gender equality and non-discrimination remain prerequisites for the fulfilment of the purposes and principles of this organization and all of our lofty, collective commitments, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The State of Palestine welcomes the Secretary General’s report and his commitment to implementing the women and peace and security agenda, including by placing gender at the centre of his prevention platform and surge in diplomacy. We appreciate all efforts by the UN in this regard, including by UN Women, OHCHR and UNDP, notably in the field of human rights, capacity building, employment and rule of law. We urge UN bodies, notably those operating in Palestine, including the Special Representative, to intensify their engagement and collaboration with women organizations.

Mr. President,

I wish to highlight some of Palestine’s own important efforts in this regard. The Palestinian women’s movement is one of the oldest and strongest in the region and beyond, with institutional and representative structures established as early as the 19th century. Within the PLO, the General Union of Palestinian Women was among the first unions to be established. A coordination of women frameworks within PLO political parties and other organizations has also been established as the “Women’s Affairs Technical Committee” in the aftermath of the 1991 Madrid Peace Conference.

There have been many achievements thereafter. Among them: In 2012, Palestine inaugurated a High-Level National Committee for the implementation of resolution 1325, led by the Ministry of Women Affairs in partnership with relevant Ministries and NGOs. In 2016, the State of Palestine was among the 68 countries and areas that adopted a National Action Plan on women, peace and security.

This Action Plan (2017-2019), adopted by both the Government and civil society organizations, identifies three primary objectives: 1. ensuring protection for women and girls both domestically and in the face of the Israeli occupation; 2. ensuring accountability through national and international mechanisms, with a particular focus on crimes and violations committed by the occupation; and 3. furthering women’s political participation in decision making at the national and international level. The State of Palestine also joined core IHL and human rights instruments, including CEDAW, without reservations. Women’s participation and empowerment are also important and cross-cutting objectives in the context of the National Policy Agenda (2017-2022).

We are, however, conscious that, despite all these efforts, much more work remains to be done. Only in 2009 was a women elected to the highest executive body of the PLO. Quotas are still decisive in allowing women’s election to Parliament and local councils. And while women organizations were among the strongest advocates of national reconciliation, they have been unfairly absent from reconciliation talks. The relevant legislative framework applicable in Palestine is also outdated and must be revised to ensure consistency with Palestine’s international commitments and obligations and avail women the protection and rights they are entitled to and the opportunities they deserve.

Mr. President,

The Palestinian women’s movement since its establishment over a century ago pursued the struggle on two fronts – the struggle for the independence of Palestine and the struggle for women’s rights and empowerment – a dual struggle the movement continues to pursue to this day. The Israeli occupation remains the main source of the violations of our women’s rights and their vulnerability and violence against their person. We have repeatedly called for protection of the Palestinian people, especially women and children. We have also called for accountability, a key element of resolution 1325, the first resolution to address the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women, as the only way to put an end to violations and crimes.

While Palestine stands ready to do its part to advance women rights and the role of women in the fields of peace and security, it is clear that the enjoyment of these rights in our country necessitates ending the Israeli occupation. We will thus continue to work for an end of the occupation and true progress on the path to independence, justice and peace, with the equal and full involvement of women, leading to an independent State of Palestine ensuring human rights for all its citizens without discrimination.

On the occasion of the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to Palestine, the Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325, which consists of twelve different Palestinian women’s organisations, is urging the Prosecutor’s Office to take concrete actions towards investigating war crimes committed against Palestinians. The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom remains deeply concerned with the complete impunity of Israeli war crimes and firmly supports the Coalition’s call for a just accountability mechanism for Palestinian victims. WILPF also calls on the international community to recognise and fully support Palestinian women’s organisations substantial role in paving the paths to justice, accountability and peace. Read the statement of the Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325 below.

We, the Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325,welcome the visit of the delegation of the ICC Prosecutor’s Office as a step in the right direction. But we are deeply disappointed that the purpose of this visit was restricted to preliminary examination, while Palestinian victims of Israeli war crimes, including women, continue to suffer and urgently await justice and an end to Israel impunity.

We do not understand the decision to exclude the Gaza Strip from this visit, when Gaza has been the site of the most war crimes and where women have been most systematically impacted by Israeli collective punishment policies; a prolonged imposed siege and a severe humanitarian deterioration resulting from Israeli military aggressions .

We are further disappointed that women who have been systematically impacted, and their women’s organisations, have been excluded from the delegation’s agenda.

We call upon all future delegations of the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to include on their agenda meetings with women’s organisations and women who have experienced direct and indirect impacts of Israeli crimes.

We, the Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325, have seen in UNSCR 1325, 2242, and other UN Resolutions a commitment to hold the Israeli perpetrators accountable for their war crimes.

We look to the ICC as the most important mechanism to end impunity for all war crimes committed, finally bringing justice for the Palestinian people. Yet, we are very concerned that the preliminary examinations will be an endless process.

Therefore, we urge, Ms. Fatou Bensouda, the Prosecutor of the ICC, to conclude the preliminary examination and move to investigations into Israeli war crimes, bringing justice to Palestinians.

We have paid the price of non-accountability and impunity of Israeli war crimes for too long. “Delaying justice is justice denied.”

Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325: The General Union of Palestinian Women (GUPW), the Women’s Affairs Technical Committee (WATC), Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development (PWWSD), MIFTAH, Filastinyat, Women Media and Development (TAM), Women Stu Dies Center, Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counseling (WACLAC), the National, YWCA of Palestine, Center for Women’s Legal Research and Consulting (CWLRC), the Culture and Free thought Association(CWLRC) and Women’s Affairs Center (GWAC).

Occupied Palestine

October 11, 2016

On Monday evening, 20 September 2004, two members of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigade, the military wing of Hamas, were extra-judicially executed by Israeli troops in Gaza City. This latest execution was the second of its kind in Gaza City in less than 24 hours. PCHR strongly condemns violations of human rights perpetrated by Israeli occupying troops in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, especially the policy of extra-judicial killings, which has been officially adopted by the Israeli political and military establishments.

According to PCHR's preliminary investigations, at approximately 19:20 on Monday, 20 September 2004, Israeli aircrafts fired one missile at a civilian car, a grey Mitsubishi jeep, that was traveling in the densely populated Tal al-Hawa neighborhood in the south of Gaza City. The missile hit and burnt the car. Two Palestinians who were traveling in the car were instantly killed:

1.Rabah Darwish Zaqqout, 37, from al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip; and

2.Nabil Ibrahim al-Su'aidi, 38, also from al-Boreij refugee camp.

The two were members of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigade, the military wing of Hamas. In addition, 5 passing Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were injured by shrapnel from the missile, and the injury of one of them was described by medical sources as serious.

PCHR remains gravely concerned about such escalation by the Israeli government and its occupying troops. Israeli violations of human rights, including extra-judicial and indiscriminate killings, further indicate Israel's disregard for international law and humanitarian law, which prohibit such acts that constitute a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949), in particular article 147. PCHR asserts that the policy of extra-judicial executions officially adopted by the Israeli government serves to increase tension in the region and threatens the lives of Palestinian civilians. PCHR reiterates its calls for the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their obligations to ensure protection for Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

On Monday morning, 12 July 2004, Israeli military bulldozers demolished a house while an elderly physically disabled Palestinian civilian was still inside. Despite attempts by his wife and daughter to draw attention to his presence the IOF continued with the demolition. The incident occurred during a wide scale Israeli military incursion into the camp, accompanied by intense shelling from tanks and helicopter gunships. This latest operation left 34 Palestinian houses demolished. In a similar Israeli military operation in the same camp on 8 July 2004, 40 Palestinian houses were demolished. Thus, the number of houses destroyed in the camp by Israeli troops in less than 5 days has mounted to 74.

According to PCHR's preliminary investigations, at approximately 01:45 on Monday, 12 July 2004, Israeli occupying troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicopters, moved into Khan Yunis refugee camp, coming from "Neve Dekalim" and "Gadid" settlements, west and south of Khan Yunis respectively. Under the cover of intense shelling, they started to bulldoze Palestinian houses without warning their residents. A number of these residents, who were surprised and terrified by this attack, were able to escape from their homes. Israeli military bulldozers moved towards a house belonging to Ibrahim Mahoud Mohammed Khalafallah, 75, who is physically disabled. His wife and daughter tried to carry him out of the house, but they could not. They left the premises and called on Israeli troops to stop the demolition of their house, but the Israeli military bulldozers continued with the demolition process, despite the fact that he was still inside the house. The man was crushed by the ensuing rubble from his home while his wife and daughter watched. By 04:30, Israeli military bulldozers had completely demolished 31 houses, in which 255 people (41 families) and partially demolished 3 others, in which 20 people (3 families).

PCHR strongly condemns this incident, which comes in the context of a series of crimes perpetrated by Israeli occupying troops in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), illustrating blatant disregard for international law and humanitarian law. PCHR remains extremely concerned about these ongoing attacks against civilians and their property perpetrated by Israeli troops during their incursions into Palestinian areas, in disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians. PCHR calls upon the international community to immediately intervene to stop prevent further similar incidents. PCHR reminds the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 of their legal obligations to ensure respect for the Convention and take effective steps to stop Israeli grave breaches of the Convention in the oPt.

PRESS RELEASE
Ref: 61/2004
Date: 21 April 2004
Time: 10:00 GMT

In a serious escalation of attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property, on 20 April 2004, Israeli occupying forces killed 9 Palestinians and injured about 40 others. A number of children were included in this figure, one of whom has since been pronounced clinically dead. This major incursion, which is still ongoing, is focused on the al-Nada housing project. The al-Nada project is located between the towns of Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. A large number of the victims were hit in the upper body. This indicates the intention of Israeli occupying forces to cause serious injury and fatalities among Palestinian civilians. Reports are still coming into PCHR about further casualties; this is of particular concern as Israeli forces have reportedly fired on ambulances.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 09:30, on Tuesday, 20 April 2004, 3 Israeli tanks and 2 military bulldozers moved from “Nissanit” settlement, north of Beit Lahia. The tanks were positioned on a hill, approximately 150 meters to the northwest of the al-Nada housing project in the northern Gaza Strip, while bulldozers leveled areas of land. In the meantime, Israeli occupying forces completely closed Erez crossing and imposed restrictions on the movement of international staff and diplomats. At approximately 12:00, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered in the area and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. In an excessive and disproportionate use of force, Israeli soldiers in the tanks fired live bullets and artillery shells at the stone throwers. Until 20:30, 4 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were killed:

1. Mo’tassem Rafiq Mohammed Nusair, 18, from Beit Hanoun, hit by a live bullet to the head;
2. Khaldoun Ziad Hassan Abu Jarad, 17, from Beit Lahia, hit by a live bullet to the head;
3. Ibrahim basher Rayan, 19, from Tal al-Za’tar, hit by a live bullet to the head; and
4. Mohammed Ibrahim ‘Ata al-Tanani, 17, hit by a live bullet to the chest.

In addition, 24 civilians, including 21 children, were wounded. One of the children was pronounced clinically dead.

At approximately 03:00 on Wednesday, 21 April 2004, about 30 Israeli heavy military vehicles, supported by helicopters, moved from Erez crossing and “Nissanit” settlement into Beit Lahia. They razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land and destroyed the fence of a building of the Palestinian Ministry of Social Affairs, which was still under construction. At approximately 05:45, an Israeli helicopter launched a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance who were near the offices of the Ministry of Education in the area. Five members of the resistance and a member of the Palestinian Security Forces were wounded.

At approximately 09:00, a number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with Israeli occupying forces, while some civilians were throwing stones at these forces. Immediately, Israeli helicopters and tanks opened fire at them. Four resistance men and a child were killed:

1. Suhail ‘Abdul Karim al-Heresh, 25, hit by a live bullet to the neck;
2. Mohammed ‘Abdul Muttaleb al-‘Ajjouri, 18, hit by a live bullet to the chest;
3. Ra’fat Abu Hassira, 28, hit by a live bullet to the head;
4. Mohammed Khader al-Rantissi, 18, hit by a live bullet to the head; and
5. Radwan Samara Hamttu, 16, hit by a live bullet to the heart.

PCHR’s field worker in the northern Gaza Strip reported that Israeli occupying forces opened fire at an ambulance of the Palestinian Ministry of Health that was trying to reach one of the wounded. The vehicle was hit by several bullets, but its personnel were not inside at the time. The wounded person remained in the area bleeding. Israeli forces also started to raze areas of Palestinian agricultural land.

PCHR strongly condemns these Israeli actions, which constitute grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention. They indicate Israel’s disregard for international human rights law and international humanitarian law. PCHR asserts that the Israeli policies serve to increase tension in the region and threaten the lives of Palestinian civilians. PCHR calls upon the international community to immediately intervene to prevent further deterioration of the situation in the OPTs. PCHR also reminds the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of their legal obligations under the Convention to ensure protection for Palestinian civilians in the OPTs.

On Tuesday morning, 16 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces destroyed the educational studies campus of al-Aqsa University, located near al-Shuhada (Netzarim) junction, south of Gaza city. This attack occurred within the context of the continuous escalation of Israeli belligerent attacks on Palestinian civilian properties and facilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs).

According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 02:30 on Tuesday, dozens of Israeli military vehicles moved from "Netzarim" settlement, south of Gaza city, towards al-Shuhada junction. Israeli forces then moved at least 1 kilometer to the north inside al-Zaytoun neighborhood, took position near a concrete factory, and imposed a siege on the area, which included the educational studies campus of al-Aqsa University and neighboring houses. According to a number of residents of the area, Israeli soldiers forced them out of their homes and planted explosives inside the campus of al-Aqsa University, destroying it. As a result, a number of neighboring houses were damaged and a woman and two members of the Palestinian National Security Force were injured. Israeli military bulldozers also razed areas of agricultural land in the same area.

According to Dr. Nihad al-Yazaji, Deputy Head of Administrative Affairs at al-Aqsa University, the destroyed campus stood on a 5.5-donum area of land. One of its buildings consisted of two floors and stood on a 1272-square-meter area of land, and another building consisted of one floor and stood on a 500-square-meter area of land. These buildings included 16 classrooms, 6 offices, 3 laboratories, a library and a cafeteria. The campus used to serve about 3000 students, and the university administration has been forced to transfer those students to other campuses since 18 January 2001, due to repeated Israeli military attacks on the campus. According to university sources, the losses resulting from this destruction are estimated preliminarily to be more than US$ 700,000, not including the price of the land on which it stood and equipment inside.

PCHR strongly condemns this violation of international law, which comes as part of continuous belligerent Israeli military attacks on Palestinian educational institutions. PCHR notes with concern that these attacks have destroyed 73 educational institutions in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current Intifada. PCHR calls upon the international community, through the United Nations bodies, to immediately act to stop these gross violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces against Palestinian civilians and their properties, including the 1949 Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. PCHR calls upon UNESCO to immediately intervene to stop the Israeli attacks on the Palestinian educational institutional system. It also calls upon it to establish an commission of inquiry to investigate Israeli military attacks on Palestinian educational institutions and present the findings to the United Nations. PCHR calls upon international NGOs to take up their expected role in pressuring their governments to force Israel to comply with international instruments and treaties, especially International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including the right of people to self-determination.