"They use the logic of power, but we have the power of logic on our side."
The Orient House is a symbol of the unified Palestinian struggle to free east Jerusalem from Israeli occupation. In Jerusalem, it is the only building to have the Palestinian national flag raised on its roof. Unfortunately, the Israeli occupation forces stormed the Orient House on August 10, 2001, and briefly hoisted the Israeli flag in place of the Palestinian one. The Orient House is the official PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) headquarters and the cornerstone of political presence for Palestinians in Jerusalem.
Physical History of the Orient House
This majestic and charming building, located in occupied Jerusalem's Abu Obeidah street, has stood witness during the dynamic events that have shaped the city of Jerusalem in the last century and continues to be of great historical, political and symbolic value to the Palestinian people. Built in 1897 by Ismail Musa Al-Husseini, the simple but tasteful building has a charm that captures the heart of all those who visit it.
In 1945, Ismail Husseini died and left his property to his son Ibrahim. During the period 1949-1950, the building was used as the headquarters for the Conciliation Committee and after by the UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees). After that period, Ibrahim Husseini opened the Orient House to the public by transforming it into a hotel, referred to as the "New Orient House" Hotel. Among the first hotels to function in east Jerusalem, following the withdrawal of the British mandate forces in 1948 when there was great demand for such facilities. Sadly, as a result of political unrest during 1967 coupled with a precipitous decline in tourism, the hotel closed and the building was once again used as a private residence.
The poor economic conditions of the city forced the owners to neglect the maintenance of the House and for a while its charm had dimmed. The building was rescued from its state of disrepair in 1983 when the Arab Studies Society rented two sections of the building. However, it would not be long before the Israeli occupation forces closed the Orient House on the eve of July 28, 1988. It took several years before the Israeli government would allow the Arab Studies Society to re-open in the Orient House. In late July 1992, the whole building was rented by Faisal Husseini, who renovated the building and shortly afterwards it was able to welcome its guest as an official Palestinian guesthouse.
Important Visitors to the Orient House
The Orient House played host to many important guests adding to its historical and political value. In 1898 a tea party was held in honor of the German Emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II. When Sharif Hussein Ben Ali (Sharif of Mecca) was buried in the Haram al-Sharif (Holy Sanctuary) in 1930, his sons, King Abdallah, King Ali and Prince Zaid accepted condolences at the Orient House. The Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie and Empress Minan of Abyssinia came to stay in the Orient House when the Italians overthrew him in 1936. The Portuguese Prime Minister Anibal Cavaco Silva was the first to visit the newly renovated Orient House. Following his visit, the Orient House welcomed successive European Troikas as well as European Foreign Ministers, in their individual capacities, despite opposition by the respective Israeli governments.
Biography and Legacy of Faisal Abdel Qader al-Hussein
At the heart of the Orient House was Faisal Abdel Qadar al-Husseini, PLO Executive Committee member, who sadly passed away in May 2001. Ghassan Al-Khatib, a Palestinian political analyst, said, "Husseini's death will affect the status of the Orient House, because much of its prestige was derived from the role of Faisal Husseini himself." Husseini was born in Baghdad, Iraq, on July 17, 1940, because his family was forced into exile by its stand against British rule. He grew up in Cairo, received military training in Iraq and later graduated form Damascus Military College in 1967. At the young age of 19 he founded the General Union of Palestinian Students. Returning to Jerusalem just before the 1967 Middle East War, he was one of the first members of the outlawed PLO in the 1960s as well as the Palestinian Liberation Army. In 1979 he founded and became the chairman of the Arab Studies Society. Since 1982, he was a member of the Supreme Muslim Council.
In the late 1980s, with Yasser Arafat in exile, Faisal Husseini became a leading Palestinian spokesperson and defender of the Intifada (uprising). He spent a total of three years in Israeli jails and four years under house arrest. He was the head of the Jerusalem National Council for Palestine, the Palestinian Delegation to the Middle East Peace Conference and Fatah-faction in the West Bank. In the Oslo Peace Talks he was Arafat's chief representative and since then has been active in promoting Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. He often appeared on Israeli talk shows to diplomatically explain the Palestinian claim for Jerusalem, using the Hebrew that he mastered during his imprisonment. Most recently, he had devoted his attention to strengthening the Palestinian foothold in east Jerusalem. Faisal Husseini was married to Najat, with whom he had a daughter, Fadwa and a son, Abdel Kadar.
Offices of the Orient House
The Orient House offers Palestinians in Jerusalem social, economic and political support in a bid to offset the deprivations caused by the ongoing Israeli military occupation. It comprises of several offices, among them is the office of Faisal Husseini, which welcomes guests, performs secretarial tasks and updates the archives. It coordinates activities between the offices, makes appointments for the foreign and local press to meet with Faisal Husseini and organizes conferences. The International relations office comprises of several officers, each in charge of a particular geographic region, which maintains constant exchange of views with the countries on matters of politics, foreign affairs and the general situation of Palestinians and Jerusalem. They also coordinate official visits and activities with the regions they are assigned. The private sector and investment unit, founded in 1994, facilitates the private sector at the international and local levels. As a result of its location, the office tends to particularly focus on encouraging and advancing private investments in east Jerusalem. It works on maintaining a sound relationship between the Palestinian Authority and the local private sector. Press and public information office disseminate information on national and international levels. Social affairs office helps citizens of Jerusalem and the surrounding villages who are suffering from the Israeli occupation. The Arab population faces educational, financial, health and social difficulties, which the office tries to ease and solve. Finally the maps and survey office keeps records and facts pertaining to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Israeli Closures of the Orient House
The Orient House has received much opposition by successive Israeli governments threatened by its very existence. This is because, as mentioned above, the Orient House has come to symbolize the Palestinian claim to Jerusalem. In that regard, its existence is fundamental for Palestinians and zealously resented by many Israelis. Rafeal Eitan, a former Israeli right-wing politician, called it "a Palestinian state in the middle of Jerusalem". Inevitably, time and time again, threats of closing down the Orient House are made by successive Israeli governments.
Israel closed the Orient House in July 1988, claiming "security reasons" as a defence for their actions. The Orient House remained closed for a period of four years. In 1994, Israeli law banned PLO activity there and in 1996 when Binyamin Netanyahu was elected, he pledged to closedown the Orient House. In 1999, the Israeli Public Security Ministry presented the Orient House with an order commanding the closure of the office of Faisal Husseini, the maps and surveys office and the international relations office. Last but not least, in the early hours of August 10, 2001, Israeli occupation forces took siege of the Orient House
It must be made clearly stated that all these closures constituted a violation of international law as well as United Nations Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. In particular, the Security Council had adopted sixteen resolutions regarding Jerusalem and had continuously affirmed that any steps taken by Israel with the aim of changing the demographic composition, legal status or character of the city were null and void. Furthermore, they blatantly disregarded the Palestinian-Israeli understandings reached following the Madrid Peace Conference in 1991. Moreover, all post October 1993 closures violated a pledge made by the Israeli Foreign Minister, Shimon Peres, that the activities of Palestinian institutions functioning within the boundaries of east Jerusalem shall not be hampered.
Conflict Surrounding the Orient House
Israel attacks and accuses the Orient House because of three main reasons. First, they accuse the Orient house of being a PA (Palestinian Authority) institution, when the PA is bound to desist from political activity in Jerusalem until the future of the city is determined through negotiation. Secondly, foreign dignitaries insisting on visiting Mr. Husseini at the Orient House infuriate Israel. Finally, Israel claims sovereignty over all Jerusalem and thus are threatened by the Orient House as its main objective is to take back occupied east Jerusalem.
In response, the Palestinians note that no country recognizes Israeli sovereignty over east Jerusalem and this is reiterated by the Berlin Declaration of March 5, 1999. With regards the Orient House being a PA institution Mr. Izhaaq Budieri in an interview points out that the Orient House was established two years before the PA and exists as a result of the peace process, the Madrid Peace Conference in 1991 and the subsequent negotiations in Washington.
What the Future Holds…
The Orient House faces it biggest struggle, with the death of its Head, Faisal Husseini, and its recent occupation and closure by the Israeli government. However, the staff of the Orient House vows to continue the legacy of Mr. Husseini and to maintain the Orient House as the PLO headquarters in east Jerusalem.
"We will continue on the path of Abu al-Abed (Faisal Husseini) until the liberation of Jerusalem, the capital of the independent Palestinian state."
Healthcare Restricted: Female Cancer Patients in Gaza
Date posted: June 07, 2023
By MIFTAH
Background:
The Israeli-imposed siege and the frequent aggressions targeting medical facilities in Gaza have debilitated the health sector and its capacity to provide proper medical services. This is exacerbated in cases of chronic diseases, which gives rise to a need to leave the Gaza Strip to receive medical treatment in the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem, or elsewhere. However, Israel imposes a strict and discriminatory permit regime, which has a disproportionate impact on medical patients given their conditions, and it is not unusual for these permits to be significantly delayed or ultimately refused by Israel.
The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH) collected questionnaires from 102 women diagnosed with cancer in the Gaza Strip to assess the quality of the treatment, availability of equipment, accessibility, and referral process.
The full report is accessible here.
Conclusion and recommendations:
The 16-year-long Israeli-imposed blockade and closure on Gaza have had detrimental impacts on the health sector in the besieged Strip. Specifically, the siege has compromised the ability of the healthcare sector to deliver proper medical services due to the absence of crucial medication, equipment, and supplies under flimsy security pretexts. Ultimately, frequent aggressions and targeting of health facilities and the Israeli-imposed siege on Gaza compromise the availability, accessibility, and quality of healthcare services available to Palestinians in Gaza.
MIFTAH urges the international community to:
- Put an end to Israel’s impunity and hold it accountable for its persistent crimes, including the crime against humanity of apartheid, through the adoption of effective and concrete measures;
- Exert pressure to lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip and allow for the free movement of people and goods;
- Ensure the urgent implementation of UNSCR 1325 to provide immediate protection for Palestinian women and to put an end to Israel’s impunity;
- Support the UN Special Rapporteur in the oPt, the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion, the ICC investigation and the UN Commission of Inquiry.
The summary factsheet is accessible here.
Financial indicators for the Family Protection Bill
Date posted: May 17, 2023
By MIFTAH
The legislation of the family protection bill is aimed at the protection of the family itself as an institution, and to guarantee its preservation. Palestinian legislators are aware of the importance of this bill, which is why all ministries and official institutions committed to developing its relevant programs, policies and plans, each according to their field of expertise. Their goal is to contribute to the promotion of a culture that combats domestic violence and encourages the response of public policies to this objective, through education, health, legislation and the media. Another objective is to track the bill’s impact and periodically assess it in cooperation with other civil societies. This paper focuses on some of the financial indicators pertaining to this bill.
All family members in Palestine are subjected to violence, including children, minors, women and men. However, married women remain the sector most vulnerable to domestic violence according to a 2019 Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics survey. It said 29.4% of married women had been subjected to at least one type of violence by their husbands as opposed to 13% of men who had been subjected to violence by their wives, by their own confession. A total of 44.7% of individuals who have never been married have been subjected toviolence;7.6% of the elderly and 44.2% of children(12-17yearsold) were the victims of violence at the hands of one of their parents. Although a high percentage of women have been victims of violence from their spouse, a considerable percentage of these women, around 60.3% preferred to stay silent about the assault. Only a small percentage of women asked for help through official avenues; 2.9% went to a defence lawyer to file a lawsuit against their husbands, 1.3% went to the police or a family protection unit and 1.4% went to the centres for mental, social and legal aid.
Financial indicators for the Family Protection Bill
| Article of Bill/Law by Decree | Relevant party | Estimated cost |
| Article(4) specialization of Ministry of Social Development: The Ministry, in cooperation with government and civil society organizations, provide the following services to victims of domestic violence: 1.Protection and fulfilment of needs of the victim; economically and socially empowering her and reintegrating her in society in order to preserve the family fabric, while ensuring not to equate the victim with the perpetrator. 2.Appointing protection counsellors in all directorates and qualifying them to deal with domestic violence cases 3.Providingsocial, psychological and legal experts to provide victim support 4.Ensuringthe provision of social, psychological, health and legal services to domestic violence victims in coordination with relevant parties. 5.Preparing rehabilitation programs for perpetrators of domestic violence crimes 6.Coordination and cooperation with government and civil society organizations to provide the necessary training for the enforcers of this law by decree. Preparing the necessary preventative plans and programs against domestic violence |
Ministry of Social Development | ILS12 million over 3 years on average of ILS4 million year, based on a study prepared by the Ministry of Social Development |
| Article 6: Family and Minors Protection Police: In accordance with the provisions of this bill/law by decree, a family and minor protection police will be established, with branches set up in all districts of the homeland. It’s specializations are the following: 1.Goingtothe place of the domestic violence incident when the informer states that the violence has occurred, is about to occur is ongoing; or in case of violation of a restraining order, even if the informer is not the victim 2.Providingfree 24-hourhotlinestohelp victims |
Palestinian police and Family and Minors Protection Department
Reform and Rehabilitation Centres Department |
ILS7.3 million/year (the study is based on the number of those working in the family and minors protection department and their mean salary)
ILS1.3 million/year (the study is based on the number of those working in reform and rehabilitation enters, which includes special sections for women boarders) |
| Article7: Family Protection Prosecution 1.In accordance with the provision of this bill/law by decree, a prosecution’s office will be established to follow up on domestic violence cases in all districts and will operate under the supervision of the Attorney General in accordance with penal measures in force. 2. This family protection prosecution office will promptly investigate domestic violence incidents while also preserving the privacy and dignity of the victim |
Family Protection Prosecution | ILS1.7 million, based on the number of relevant prosecution agents and their mean salaries |
| Article10: parties qualified to issue restraining orders 1.Restrainingorders will be issued by the following parties of their own accord: a. Family Protection Prosecution b. The presiding judge |
Presiding judges | ILS1.9 million, based on the number of judges and their mean salaries |
| Total expected estimated cost | ILS16.2 million |
The table above shows that the estimated and main additional cost of the Ministry of Social Development to be around ILS4 million a year, considering that the other parties (police, prosecution and courts) are currently carrying out their roles without fully allocating specialized departments for protection from violence. However, if these parties do allot specialized departments for protection from violence, overall costs will reach approximately ILS16.2 million. Nonetheless, even if this cost is incurred, it still only comprises a small part of public expenditures, approximately 0.1%. Overall public expenditures for 2022 amount to approximately ILS16.2 billion, which means the cost of passing this bill and implementing its provisions will not constitute financial burden on the general budget and will not be an obstacle to ratifying the law by decree.
Furthermore, it should be noted that while it is imperative to calculate some of the costs resulting from violence against women, the reaerate the high costs as well. The secret social costs, which impact society as a whole. Data from the Ministry of Social Development showed (see graph), that violence exercised against women has prompted around 60% of them to flee their homes. Also, 18% of them attempted suicide in addition to suffering from mental and physical illnesses, unwanted pregnancies or others. Calculating expenses incurred from violence is not an easy process and there are no national data or figures that can measure the impact violence has on the state’s general budget due to the prevalent mentality towards violence as an issue associated only with women. This is especially true when the conversation is about the indirect and intangible effects of violence, including:
Violations of human rights; negative social, economic and political impacts; working women who get sick and need to take sick leave; lack of focus and productivity; impact of violence on children and academic failure; the rise in the percentage of school dropouts among children; the rise in long-term unemployment rates; the percentage of homeless children who become a burden on society; government expenditures for medical treatment; safehouses; therapy; monitoring cases of violence against women; individual expenses for following up on legal cases and lawyer fees; loss of income because of repeated absence from work or inefficacy; social expenses resulting from the breakup of the family; expenses of training individuals on how to deal with cases of violence; expenses for issuing laws and legislation on the protection of women from violence.
Confirmation of the above is that the UN believes the economic, social and health costs of violence against women are, to a large extent, undocumented and unrecognized. However, these remain colossal, according to researchers, specialists and defenders of women’s rights.
To view the full factsheet as PDF
Israeli state-sanctioned settler terrorism: A gendered lens
Date posted: April 26, 2023
By MIFTAH
Background:
The illegal Israeli settlement project, including settler-only bypass roads, military checkpoints, and the annexation wall, continues to expand and steal more Palestinian land and resources. As of today, the number of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem, is close to 300, with around 750,000 Jewish settlers residing in them.
Israeli state-sanctioned settler terrorism against Palestinian civilians and property is prevalent and has been on the rise in recent years. Violence takes the form of psychological, physical, and verbal violence, including beating, throwing stones or sharp tools, intimidation, shooting, verbal assaults, and assaults on agricultural lands, cars, and homes. Such attacks are committed in the presence of Israeli occupation forces who often join them.
The high frequency of these forms of violence and their persistence give rise to psychological, physical, and material harm. Palestinian survivors of settler terrorism seldom press charges and file complaints against Israeli settlers given the complicity of the Israeli law enforcement system.
The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH) and the Women’s Center for Legal and Counseling (WCLAC) collected questionnaires from 229 Palestinian women covering settler violence in the occupied West Bank governorates of Al-Khalil/Hebron, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem.
MIFTAH calls on the international community to:
Put an end to Israel’s impunity and hold it accountable for its persistent crimes, including the crime against humanity of apartheid, through the adoption of effective and concrete measures;
Stop all relations and trade with illegal Israeli settlements including international companies that profit from them;
Criminalize and blacklist Israeli settler groups that engage in terrorist activities and hold those with dual citizenship accountable in their respective states;
Ensure the urgent implementation of UNSCR 1325 to provide immediate protection for Palestinian women and to put an end to Israel’s impunity;
Support the UN Special Rapporteur in the oPt, the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion, the ICC investigation and the UN Commission of Inquiry.
