PALESTINE’S LEGAL SCENE – Vol. 60

Your weekly survey of the most important publications and activities related to Palestine and law, from local and international sources

21 – 27 February 2021

Issued every Sunday by Law for Palestine

This weekly report reviews the legal dynamics of the Palestine question, and everything related to international law and Palestine. The report includes an account of the most important publications, activities and conferences related to Palestine at the local, regional, international levels. The report further covers decisions, decrees, and judicial orders affecting the Palestinian cause, whether made at the official, academic or public levels. The report aims to be a reference for monitoring, documenting and archiving the latest human rights developments related to Palestine, and to present them to individuals, researchers, study centers, and official, academic and legal institutions concerned.

To view this Volume of Palestine’s Legal Scene, please click here (4 minutes read)

Judicial decrees, decisions, positions, and orders issued by official Palestinian bodies

• The Court of First Instance of Nablus issues a ruling on the case concerning the “Balfour Declaration” and considers it in violation of peremptory norms of international law. (Feb.21,2021). To check the news, click here 
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on OCHA to ensure the communication of its report on the Israeli violations to all members of the international community. (Feb.21, 2021). To check the news, click here 
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Netanyahu runs his campaign through violating Palestinian rights and defying the rules of international law. (Feb.22, 2021). To check the news, click here 
• During the second session of the Palestinian-Irish political consultations, the last confirms its rejection of settlements and the escalating Israeli violations. (Feb.24, 2021). To check the news, click here 
• Palestinian Minister for Foreign Affairs: Israel’s provision of Corona vaccines to some countries in exchange for political concessions is immoral, and we stress the importance of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ report on Israeli violations. (Feb.25, 2021). To check the news, click here 
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs demands a prompt announcement from the International Criminal Prosecutor to open an investigation into the crimes of the Israeli occupation and settlers against Palestinians. (Feb.25,2021). To check the news, click here 
• Head of Palestinian Human Rights Department in the PLO Ahmad al-Tamimi demands the United Nations to apply UNESCO’s resolution regarding Al-Haram Al-Ibrahimi in Hebron as a Palestinian heritage site. (February 25, 2021). To check the news, click here 
• Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Fadi Al-Hadami calls on the international community to work on securing Jerusalem’s participation in the elections. (Feb.25,2021). To check the news, click here 
• Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The prohibition of calling to prayer in the Al-Ibrahimi Mosque and the banning of West Bank ID holders from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque is a flagrant violation of freedom of worship and a call for religious war.(Feb.26, 2021). To check the news, click here 
• The Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, sends letters to United Nations officials regarding the escalation of Israel’s violations against the Palestinian people. (Feb.26, 2021). To check the news, click here 

Judicial decrees, decisions, positions, and orders issued by official Israeli bodies

• Israel begins implementing the project of paving the Huwara settlement bypass road, south of Nablus. (Feb. 21, 2021). To check the news, click here
• Israel: Under the Oslo Accords the PA is responsible for providing Palestinians with Corona Vaccinations. (Feb.23,2021). To check the news, click here
• The Israeli Supreme Court calls on the Israeli government to provide clarifications on the construction of the airborne train project in Jerusalem. (Feb.24, 2021). To check the news, click here

Judicial decrees, decisions, positions, and orders issued by Arab, European, and international bodies

• The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process warns that the financial situation of the Palestinian Government remains precarious and needs support. (Feb.23, 2021). To check the news, click here
• US Secretary of State: The two-state solution is the best for the future of Israel.(Feb.23,2021). To check the news, click here 
• European Union’s representative for foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, affirms his support for the two-state solution in line with international law. (Feb.23,2021). To check the news, click here
• The Arab Human Rights Committee discusses ways to address the Israeli violations of human rights in Palestine. (Feb.23, 2021). To check the news, click here
• United Nations: Israel must stop demolishing Palestinian buildings and homes. (Feb.24, 2021). To check the news, click here
• The Human Rights Council discusses the High Commissioner’s report on Israel’s lack of commitment to conduct fair investigations into its violations. (Feb.24, 2021). To check the news, click here
• Belgian Member of Parliament Simon Mutcan: Israel continues to intensify the gradual annexation against the Palestinians in the West Bank. (Feb.24, 2021). To check the news, click here
• US Senator Bernie Sanders attacks Israel for depriving the Palestinians of Coronavirus vaccines, and considers it a breach to its responsibilities as the occupying power under international law. (Feb.25, 2021). To check the news, click here
• The Arab Parliamentary Union reaffirms the centrality of the Palestinian cause and rejects settlement projects that target the Palestinian people.  (Feb.25, 2021). To check the news, click here 
• Japanese government and United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) sign two donation agreements worth 40 million US dollars. (Feb.25, 2021). To check the news, click here 
• The Canadian Parliament: Canadian Parliament: UNRWA has not fulfilled its pledge to change educational materials that contain the meanings of sacrifice and redemption. (Feb.25, 2021). To check the news, click here 

Publications of human rights NGOs

• The Palestinian Center for Human Rights calls on the international community to support the UNRWA budget to ensure the implementation of its programs, especially food aid. (Feb.21,2021). To check the news, click here 
• Yesh Din welcomes the decision of the International Criminal Court to have jurisdiction over the Palestinian territories. (Feb.21, 2021). To check the news, click here 
• B’Tselem issued a report on the Israeli demolition and confiscation of tents and other items donated to the residents of Khirbet Humsa al-Fawqa, which is under threat of confiscation. (Feb.22, 2021). To check the news, click here 
• Palestinian community organizations in the U.S. call on the Secretary of State to resume US aid to the Palestinian people. (Feb.24, 2021). To check the news, click here 

Academic research and studies

• Researchers Asem Khalil and Ashraf Badr publish a research paper entitled: “Settlement Colonialism in the Palestinian Context: Paradigm or Concept?”. (Feb.24, 2021). To check the news, click here 

Human rights activities & conferences

• The Middle East Peace Foundation holds a symposium entitled: “Israel-Palestine in the International Criminal Court: What’s next? (Feb.25, 2021). To check the news, click here