PALESTINE’S LEGAL SCENE –Issue.177

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

21 – 27 May 2023

Issued every Sunday by Law for Palestine

Prepared by: Razwan Issa, Nour Kharouf, Nermin Allawh, Sophia Alisaa

Translation: Asma Louzon and Ahmad Staitia
Editing: Rachel Marandett

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 (5 minutes read)

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

• The Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs (PFM) condemned the Israeli government’s plan to build hundreds of additional settler units in occupied Jerusalem. The new plans are seen as an extension of Jerusalem’s annexation and Judaization, its separation from its Palestinian surroundings, and its connection to Israel. (May 20, 2023). For further details, click here
• The PFM condemned the Israeli government’s decision to hold its weekly meeting in the tunnels of Buraq Square in occupied Jerusalem, considering it part of Israel’s project to annex Jerusalem and prevent any opportunity for Palestinian statehood. (May 21, 2023). For further details, click here
• The PFM condemned Israel’s minister’s provocative entry into Al-Aqsa Mosque. The raid was a manifestation of Israel’s illegal policies and the occupying forces’ infiltration into the Balata camp east of Nablus, which resulted in three residents’ martyrdom and a number of other injuries, including a serious one. (May 21, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Commission of Detainees Affairs demanded that the World Health Organization (WHO) proceeded immediately to the Ramla Israeli Prison Hospital to save the lives of sick prisoners, held the Israeli occupation accountable for the life of the injured prisoner Sami Jaradat, and requested that the Red Cross step in to stop the medical abuse of the detainees. (May 21, 2023). For further details, click here
• The PFM stated that their office will continue its political and diplomatic efforts, in line with the international law, to expose the crimes perpetrated against sick prisoner Waleed Daqa, especially since his condition started to deteriorate. (May 22, 2023). For further details, click here
• The PFM condemned the Israeli occupation’s crimes, including demolishing and bombing the houses of Palestinian citizens in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially in East Jerusalem and Area C. It considered these acts the worst forms of collective punishment and large-scale ethnic cleansing. (May 24, 2023). For further details, click here
• The PFM condemned Israel’s proposed bill to annex the natural reserves in the occupied territories, considering it a colonial, racist move that aims to strengthen Israeli control over the Palestinian land and to undermine international law. (May 26, 2023). For further information, click here
• The PFM condemned the armed, organized militias of settlers’ execution of Palestinian child Alaa Qesiyya from Ad-Dhahiriya, south of Hebron. It further condemned the crimes settlers commited against the lands, properties, and crops in Turmus Aya and Al Mughayyir, east of Ramallah. (May 26, 2023). For further details, click here

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

• The Israeli Army Central Command issued an order permitting Israelis to enter Homesh, an illegal outpost, in preparation for the development of an official settlement there.(May 21, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee approved the proposal for constructing 400 new houses in a Palestinian neighborhood in the town of Abu Dis, paving the way for Israel to drastically expand a Jewish enclave in the heart of the town. (May 23, 2023). For further details, click here
• Israeli Universities denounced a coalition bill that would ban display of Palestinian flag. A joint statement said that the measure would infringe on free speech and, if passed, would trigger a “wave of academic boycotts of Israeli institutions all around the world.” (May 25, 2023). For further details, click here

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

• A statement by the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) called on Israelis and Palestinians to take steps to build trust in order to realize a two-state solution. The statement said that all parties must refrain from unilateral actions, including settlement activities and incitement to violence. (May 20, 2023). For further details, click here
• The US Department of State expressed deep concern about the Israeli government’s order allowing its citizens to establish a permanent presence in the Homesh outpost in the northern West Bank, which, according to Israeli law, was illegally built on private Palestinian land. (May 21, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Arab Parliament, and Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the Israeli National Security Minister’s incursion into the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces. They reiterated their call on the international community to take responsibility, act immediately, and take firm stands to halt these violations. (May 21, 2023).
• The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, the UAE, Turkey, Jordan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by the Israeli National Security Minister and a group of extremists under the protection of the Israeli police, considering it a serious violation of international law and a provocation against all Muslims. (May 21/22, 2023).
• The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned the heinous crime committed by the Israeli occupation forces in the city of Nablus, which led to the death of three martyrs and wounding of a number of Palestinian citizens. (May 22, 2023). For further details, click here
• The European Commissioner for Crisis Management expressed his deep concern over the forcible eviction of Palestinians in the West Bank, the demolition of donor-funded structures, and the violence and coercion. He called Israel to stop these violations immediately. (May 24, 2023). For further details, click here
• In a letter to the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, several individuals and organizations called on the UK government to avoid participating in efforts opposing the forthcoming advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. (May 24, 2023). For further details, click here
• The World Health Organization adopted a resolution on health conditions in occupied Palestine, focusing on addressing the humanitarian health needs of people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and urging Israel to uphold the right to health and non-discrimination. (May 24, 2023). For further details, click here
• An Icelandic court has dismissed a legal effort by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to shut down the Mapping Project website, which houses an interactive map listing local institutions in Boston connected to Zionism or imperialism. The court ruled that the site does not contain criticism of Jews and falls within the realm of legitimate political speech protected by freedom of expression. (May 24, 2023). For further details, click here
• Eleven members of the US Congress have demanded PayPal end a ban on doing business with Palestinians in the occupied territories while permitting Israeli settlers to use the digital payment platform. (May 24, 2023). For further details, click here
• The US has voiced support for non-governmental organisations targeted by new Israeli legislation that seeks to curtail their work, emphasizing the essential role of NGOs and their contribution to democratic and transparent government, as Israel prepares to hinder a bill that would limit funding alien to civil society groups. (May 25, 2023).For further details, click here
• The Biden administration released a plan to combat anti-Semitism, avoiding adopting an IHRA definition that focused greatly on Israel. (May 25, 2023). For further details, click here
• Acting Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory stated that the Palestinian herding community of Ein Samiya (Ramallah) began dismantling and leaving their homes, citing settler violence as their main reason. Pursuant to international humanitarian law, the government of Israel has obligations to protect Palestinians living under occupation and ensure that those responsible for violence against Palestinians are held accountable. (May 25, 2023). For further details, click here
• Diplomatic missions of 10 countries, as well as the Office of the European Union Representative to the West Bank and Gaza, called on Israel to halt all confiscations and demolitions in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to return or compensate for donor funded humanitarian items, and to give unimpeded humanitarian access. (May 26, 2023). For further details, click here
• UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese asserted that words of condemnation will not stop this injustice. It is high time for concrete measures to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law. (May 26, 2023). For further details, click here

Publications of human rights NGOs:

• Peace Now announced that during the government meeting held in the Western Wall Tunnel to commemorate Jerusalem Day, the Israeli government approved the third phase of the “Shalem” program for the exposure of ancient Jerusalem, with a budget of 41 million shekels for two years. It also stated that all the projects funded by the budget are connected to initiatives of the Elad settler organization in East Jerusalem. (May 22, 2023). For further details, click here
• The president of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Dominique Pradalié, expressed solidarity with Palestinian journalists, acknowledging the harsh situation they face and emphasizing the importance of supporting and protecting them. (May 23, 2023). For further details, click here
• Hurryyat Center published an article titled “Isolation and Control – Israel’s Denial of Foreign Fationals to the oPt,” which sheds light on the extensive requirements for obtaining a long term visa for the oPt. The article explains how these rules serve to cut off the oPt from the rest of the world, separate families, and violate several universal human rights. (May 23, 2023). For further details, click here
• Btsleem published an article stating that the last residents of the Palestinian community of ‘Ein Samia, a community next to Ramallah that was home to about 200 residents, were forced to leave their land after Israel made their lives unbearable. It further stated that residents of the community have suffered from violence carried out by Israeli forces, from settler violence carried out with the full backing of the State, extreme restrictions on building homes and infrastructure, and demolitions. The community’s school is set to be demolished soon, following a recent court approval. Association France Palestine Solidarité also made a report on the crime. (May 23/24, 2023)
• Forensic Architecture, in partnership with the Adalah Center, conducted an investigation of evidence relating to the Palestinian village of Tantura in 1948, identifying, based on cartographic, testimonies, and historical research, two possible sites of mass graves, where Palestinian civilians and combatants were killed and buried by Israeli forces. (May 24, 2023).For further details, click here
• The Washington Post conducted an investigation stating that Israeli special agents conduct raids targeting civilians. Israeli military operations have long been a fixture of life here, but they once happened mostly at night. This year, under the most right-wing government in Israeli history, a growing number of incursions have been carried out during the day, in densely packed urban areas such as Jenin. (May 26, 2023). For further details, click here

Opinion Pieces and features:

• Kenneth Roth, former president of Human Rights Watch, published an opinion piece on the German DW website titled “Reassessing the approach to Israel.” (May 22, 2023). For further details, click here
• Hamid Dabashi published an article on The Middle East Eye titled “The Palestinian cause is not a ‘narrative’. It is the truth”. (May 24, 2023). For further details, click here

Human rights conferences and events:

• The “For Palestine” campaign launched a multilingual online signature campaign to collect signatures on the “Palestine Appeal”, which calls for support for the Palestinian cause and the end of the occupation. (May 25, 2023). For further details, click here
• The “European Palestinians Conference” held its twentieth annual conference in Malmo, Sweden in the presence of thousands of Palestinians and their supporters from different European countries to emphasize the right of return. (May 25, 2023). For further details, click here

Upcoming human rights opportunities and events:

• The Palestinian Ministry of Education called for a special meeting with Dr Riyad Mansour, the Permanent Representative of Palestine to the UN, to discuss the indications of the commemoration of the Palestinian catastrophe (Nakba) in the United Nations. The meeting will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 7:00 pm, and will also be broadcasted live. (May 23, 2023). To get the episode, click here