Post-Annapolis: The Palestinian Death Toll Keeps Rising
By MIFTAH
May 10, 2008

The Annapolis Conference was held on November 27, 2007 under the auspices of US President George W. Bush and was aimed at restarting negotiations on a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The conference ended with a joint statement issued by both parties.

Following are excerpts from the text of the joint declaration by Palestinians and Israelis pledging to pursue a peace deal by the end of 2008. It follows:

“We express our determination to bring an end to bloodshed, suffering and decades of conflict between our peoples; to usher in a new era of peace, based on freedom, security, justice, dignity, respect and mutual recognition; to propagate a culture of peace and non-violence; to confront terrorism and incitement, whether committed by Palestinians or Israelis.

“In furtherance of the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, we agree to immediately launch good-faith bilateral [negotiations] in order to conclude a peace treaty resolving all outstanding issues, including all core issues without exception, as specified in previous agreements.

“We agree to engage in vigorous, ongoing and continuous negotiations and shall make every effort to conclude an agreement before the end of 2008.”

The following table gives an outline of the number of Palestinians killed by the Israeli Occupying Forces and Jewish settlers since the Annapolis Conference in November 2007. There are also approximate figures stated for how many of these deaths comprise of civilians (including women and children). Alarmingly, the number of civilian deaths continues to rise.

MonthWeek CommencingPalestinian deaths in WB and GS by Israeli Occupation ForcesCivilians (of reported Palestinian deaths)Palestinian civilians killed by Israeli settlersNumber of deaths due to denial of access to medical treatment
November29th202 3
December6th83  
 13th and 20th231  
 27th1811 
January3rd22   
 10th278  
 17th22   
 24th62  
 31st12   
February7th11   
 14th84 1
 21st219  
 28th190811 
March6th101  
 13th4   
 20th42  
 27th6 1 
April3rd851 
 10th2920  
 17th173  
 24th97  
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS 47514944

As the table above shows, from November 29, 2007 until April 30, 2008, there have been a total of 479 Palestinian deaths (by the IOF and settlers combined), in comparison to 26 Israelis. Of this figure, an estimated 153 of them have been civilians [not part of armed Palestinian groups], although this figure is possibly higher as some reports did not specify the civilian quota.

Overall, the humanitarian situation on the ground has worsened. Since Annapolis, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported increases “in the number of structures demolished [in the West Bank], IDF search operations and curfews on Palestinian villages”.

In as early as January 2008, former Palestinian information minister and head of the Palestinian National Initiative, Dr Mustafa Barghouthi, presented data showing that Israeli military killings of, and attacks against Palestinians have soared by 100% since Annapolis, confirming an intensification of Israeli military violence against the Palestinian people post-November 2007.

In order for any semblance of peace, improvements on the ground are most important in the Palestinian territories, as the Palestinian public is increasingly skeptical of the prospects of peace through negotiations because of the steady and ongoing deterioration in their quality of life. As is evident from the ongoing killings, humanitarian crises and continued settlement expansion, peace is still a far-off reality.

RESOURCES

http://www.miftah.org