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

As a human rights organisation dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), Al-Haq is gravely concerned by the actions of Israeli soldiers during an arrest raid in Hebron early this morning, which left one person dead and several others seriously injured. Based on first hand testimony gathered by staff members in the aftermath of the event, Al-Haq has documented the incident, the facts of which are summarised below.

At approximately 12:20 am on Wednesday, 6 June 2007, a large Israeli military force, comprising at least 50 soldiers, came to the house of Yehia al-Jabari. Yehia, who was 72-years-old, lived with his family in a two-storey house in the B’er Haram area of Hebron city. Upon opening the front door of the house to the soldiers, Rajih al-Jabari, the 26-year-old son of Yehia, was dragged outside. Without any warning or justification, the Israeli soldiers began to beat Rajih, violently hitting his head against the wall of the house. At this point, Yehia, who had only moments earlier returned home from visiting a relative, came outside with his wife Fatima to see what was happening. Seeing the soldiers attacking his son, Yehia, who was unarmed, attempted to intervene and protect his son. While doing so, he was shot once in the forehead by an Israeli soldier; the bullet exiting the rear of his head. He then fell to the ground, where he lay motionless, presumably having been killed instantly. Immediately afterward, his wife, who was also unarmed, began screaming and attempted to reach Yehia’s body. An Israeli soldier, however, opened fire on her, hitting her six times. Fatima, who was hit in numerous parts of her body, including the head and chest, fell to the ground.

At this time, two of Yehia’s sons, 24-year-old Kamil and 36-year-old Radi, exited the front door of the house. There, they found their parents lying in pools of blood on the ground, surrounded by a large number of Israeli soldiers. In attempting to move their father’s corpse from the front steps, where it was lying, the two brothers were screamed at by an Israeli soldier who ordered them to stop. Radi ignored the soldier, pushing him away. In response, however, the soldier opened fire on the brothers, hitting Kamil in the foot. After Kamil had fallen to the ground, Radi knelt beside his father’s body and began to cry. The soldiers, however, began to beat him in an attempt to move him away.

By this stage, a number of other family members and neighbours had gathered nearby. They were prevented from reaching the injured persons by the Israeli soldiers who forced them back violently, in some instances, beating the men and women with the butts of their guns.

Soon after the aforementioned events had taken place, the injured were transferred to ambulances that had arrived at the scene. Despite the serious condition of several of the wounded, the Israeli soldiers refused to allow the ambulances to leave the area for a full 15 minutes after they were ready to do so.

Once the injured persons were eventually transferred to hospital, the soldiers gathered the remaining family members, as well as a number of other individuals who were present, inside the house. There, the women were kept in a single room, while the men were kept under guard in the corridor outside. They remained there for 45 minutes while the Israeli soldiers carried out an extensive search of the house, in the course of which they found no weapons, nor did they arrest any individuals. Only after the soldiers had completed the search did they inform the Palestinians present that they were looking for Salih al-Jabari, the 17-year-old son of Yehia. At approximately 2:30 am, the soldiers finally agreed to leave the area after receiving assurances that Salih would present himself to the Israeli authorities the following day.

Regarding those Palestinians taken to hospital for treatment, a number of individuals were released after being treated for shock and/or for the injuries they sustained having being beaten by the Israeli soldiers. More worryingly, 57-year-old Fatima al-Jabari is presently in a critical condition, while her son, Rajih al-Jabari, remains in an extremely serious condition.

Al-Haq is deeply disturbed by the nature of this and other recent military operations in the OPT where the intention to kill and/or the indifference to preserving civilian life on the part of the Israeli forces has been all too evident. Al-Haq strongly condemns this morning’s unprovoked and unjustifiable attack on civilians as an egregious violation of the fundamental principles of international law. The non-derogable right to life, that most basic of human rights from which all others stem, was brazenly disregarded by the Israeli soldiers involved.

Under customary international humanitarian law, the Israeli army is obliged to distinguish at all times between civilians and combatants, and to in all circumstances refrain from directing attacks against civilians. The use of force in a situation such as this, whereby the Israeli soldiers were met with no resistance, cannot be justified on the grounds of military necessity and is clearly unlawful.

Thus, the arbitrary execution of Yehia al-Jabari amounts to a ‘wilful killing’ and thereby constitutes a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention under Article 147. Grave breaches are essentially the most heinous of war crimes, for which the perpetrators are individually criminally responsible. The grave breaches regime obliges all High Contracting Parties to the Convention to search for and prosecute such perpetrators.

The shootings and severe beatings of other members of the al-Jabira family, as well as the obstruction of the ambulance that came to transport them to hospital, amount to further contraventions of Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law towards protected civilians and injured persons. In addition, the prohibition on cruel or inhuman treatment and the right to health, both firmly enshrined in the lexicon of international human rights law, were recklessly disregarded by the Israeli military forces. 40 years on from Israel’s invasion and occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, the rights of the Palestinian population continue to be violated systematically and with impunity.

- Ends -

AL-HAQ ACTION ALERT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REF: 27.2004E

Al-Haq calls on members of the international community to take immediate action to stop ongoing violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip. Please fax or send by mail the following appeal (either as is or as a guide for your own letter) to the officials listed below.

Your Excellency,

I write to express my deep concern over the flagrant violations of international law being committed by the Israeli Authorities during their current military campaign in the northern Gaza Strip which began on the evening of 28 September 2004. As of 4 October 2004, 76 Palestinians have been killed, of which 22 were children. 246 have been injured through gun fire and heavy tank shelling in densely populated residential neighbourhoods. In addition 38 homes have been totally demolished, 130 homes have been partially damaged and UNRWA schools have come under fire. A focus of the military operations is the Jabaliya refugee camp, home to some 100,000 Palestinians.

The military operation is being carried out with total disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law and as such, demonstrates a clear unwillingness on behalf of Israel to be bound by the rule of law or to uphold its application, at the expense of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian civilian population. Israeli actions such as wilful killings and extensive property destruction are considered to be grave breaches (war crimes entailing individual criminal responsibility) under the Fourth Geneva Convention. It is particularly troubling that Israeli authorities are denying international non-governmental organisations access at this critical time.

In light of this, the ongoing military operation in northern Gaza presents a serious challenge to the value attached to the rule of law by the international community. On 21 Septmber 2004 Secretary-General Kofi Annan reminded the General Assembly of the United Nations that “no-one is above the law, and no-one should be denied its protection. Every nation that proclaims the rule of law at home must respect it abroad; and every naton that insists on it abroad must enforce it at home.” I therefore urge you to support this vision of an international community governed by the rule of law, and give it substance by taking concrete action to ends Israel’s military campaign in northern Gaza .

Yours Sincerely,

Addresses and Fax Numbers

United Nations Secretary-General
Mr. Kofi Annan
Fax: +1 (212) 902-5364

President of the Security Council
H.E. Sir Emyr Jones Parry, KCMG
Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations
New York , NY 10017
Fax: +1 (212) 745-9316

President of the General Assembly
Mr. Jean Ping
Office of the President of the General Assembly
United Nations
New York , NY 10017
Fax: +1 (212) 963-3301

Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise
of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People
Mr. Papa Louis Fall
Permanent Representative
of the Republic of Senegal to the United Nations
New York , NY 10021
Fax: +1 (212) 517-3032

Chairman of the Special Committee
to Investigate Israeli Practices
affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People
and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories
Mr. Herman Leonardo de Silva
Permanent Representative of the Democratic Socialist Republic
of Sri Lanka to the United Nations
New York , NY 10017
Fax: +1 (212) 986-1838

In light of the events of the past two weeks, Al-Haq is concerned about, and calls attention to the flagrant violations of the human rights of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, and to the international community’s allowance of Israel’s willful violation of international law. During the course of the past years, the entire Palestinian population has been treated as a single unit, with no regard for the lives and welfare of a civilian population. After recent events, Israel once again, under the shield of “security”, is not only disregarding the welfare of civilians, but is specifically targeting civilians. In the past two weeks, Israel has dramatically accelerated its ongoing policy of collective punishment, and its policy of extra-judicial killings—both are illegal under international law and constitute War Crimes.

Tanks, soldiers, and curfews automatically sprung into place as Israel applied terrorizing and punitive measures all over the Occupied Territories after an attack in Jerusalem. As a reprisal for the bombing on the 19th of August, the whole of Hebron’s old city was again placed under strict curfew, which has not yet been lifted. The people of Hebron, the birthplace of the individual responsible for the attack in Jerusalem, have been targeted by Israel in retaliation. At the same time, backed by tanks and a full-scale military invasion, curfew was also implemented in Jenin, Nablus, and Tulkarem. From Thursday, the 21st until Sunday morning the 24th of August, strict curfew was implemented in Jenin. Nablus and Tulkarem have also been under strict curfew. In Nablus, people were trapped in their homes as soldiers entered through the holes they drilled through walls, and passed from one house to another in the middle of the night. Thus far, the local population has not been informed when curfew will be lifted.

More houses were demolished in retaliation for recent bombing attacks. Israel’s policy of collective punishment was felt acutely by Hiyam Kheiri, whose son was responsible for the bombing in Kufir Ra’i. Her house was demolished on Thursday, and she and her daughter of five years were made homeless by the Israeli bulldozers. Zakiya ‘Al ‘Abdel-al-Rahman Freihat and her six children, age 7 to 17, were also made homeless by the Israeli military when her house was demolished. Two more houses in Hebron were demolished in the past week.

Taking advantage of the media’s focus on the bombing in Jerusalem, Israel deployed its military forces to level Palestinian homes and shops in the West Bank, making way for construction of the Wall. On Thursday, in the town of Nazlet 'Issa, located near the Green Line, 5,000 Israeli soldiers, 24 D-9 armored bulldozers, and 15 tanks entered the town and leveled the local business district. The Israeli military informed the mayor of Nazlet 'Issa that a total of 120 shops would be destroyed. Shop owners lost everything in the military operation, and the center of the city is said to be completely devastated. The destruction rivals that of a natural disaster. Local residents believe Israel is clearing a path for construction of the separation Wall.

The recent assassinations of the Hamas political leader Ismail Abu Shanab, and four other Palestinians, are just two additional operations in the list of more than 100 assassination operations that have killed about 250 Palestinian targets. This continuous policy of extra-judicial killings has resulted in the deaths of around 100 incidental victims, including 35 children, and has wounded over 500 untargeted Palestinians. We are very concerned with the excessive use of force in the recent extra-judicial killings. In Gaza, Israeli helicopters shot missiles into a heavily populated area killing Ismail Abu Shanab and his two bodyguards, and injuring 19 other Palestinians on the street. Israel assassinated Mohammed Ayoub Sider in Hebron, six weeks into the unilateral ceasefire. In an earlier assassination attempt on Sider in 2001, the Israeli military killed two children and one man, but Sider escaped slightly injured. On August 14th 2003, in the early morning the military attacked Sider’s house with missiles. He was killed in his home, which was subsequently demolished.

The past week demonstrates again the comprehensive policy implemented by Israel that willfully disregards the safety of the Palestinian population, and often targets them as a group. The disproportionate use of force, and targeting of Palestinians as a group constitutes persecution. As Al-Haq has stated, and reiterates currently, as an occupying power, Israel must observe the rights and obligations by which it is bound under International Humanitarian Law.

Collective Punishment is prohibited. Article 50 of the Hague Regulations established that, “No general penalty, pecuniary or otherwise, shall be inflicted upon the population on account of the acts of individuals for which they cannot be regarded as jointly and severally responsible.” The Fourth Geneva Convention, in Article 33 states, “No protected person may be punished for an offense he or she has not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited. Pillage is prohibited. Reprisals against protected persons and their property are prohibited.” Israel’s policies constitute grave breaches of Geneva Convention.

The destruction of property is prohibited. Article 23(g) of the 1907 Hague Regulations provides that the destruction or seizure of property is “especially forbidden”, unless “imperatively demanded by the necessities of war”. Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits the destruction of real or personal property “except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operation”. Under Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention the “extensive destruction and appropriation of property not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly” is considered a grave breach of the Convention. Article 8(2)(a)(iv) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court declare that the Grave Breach of extensive destruction and appropriation of property is a War Crime.

Extra-Judicial killings are prohibited. Israel’s policy of assassination and the extra judicial killings of Palestinian civilians and military personnel that have been carried out by Israeli forces constitute grave breaches of provisions of International humanitarian and human rights law. These actions qualify as war crimes in accordance with Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and Article 85 of the 1977 Protocol Additional to the Geneva Convention.

Al-Haq reiterates its calls for:

1. States Party to the Fourth Geneva Convention to act immediately to protect the integrity of the Geneva Convention, and to provide the Palestinian people with protection from Israeli human rights violations and demand an end to abuses committed by Israeli forces.

2. The Security Council and the UN General Assembly to end their indefensible silence regarding Israel’s blatant violations against Palestinians’ human rights, and its general disregard for the Rule of Law.