PALESTINE’S LEGAL SCENE –Issue.181

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

18 – 24 June 2023

Issued every Sunday by Law for Palestine

Prepared by: Razwan Issa, Nour Kharouf, Nermin Allawh

Translation: Ferdous Abdul Hamid and Sabrin Alsheikh Ahmed
Editing: Nardeen Khalid

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 Ministry of Education called on human rights institutions and international organizations to safeguard Palestinian schools from Israeli occupation threats, the most recent of which being the threat to demolish the Umm al-Sokha Mixed School in Yatta, Hebron. (June 18, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates (MOFAE) condemned the Israeli occupation’s approval of the coalition agreement, which gave Israeli Minister Smotrich the authority to pre-approve any settlement development designs and to limit settlement depth and growth. (June 18, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Permanent Representative of Palestine to the United Nations sends three identical letters to UN officials regarding the Israeli aggression on the city of Jenin and its camp, calling on the international community to intervene immediately to protect civilians and hold Israel accountable for its human rights violations and war crimes. (June 20, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Palestinian MOFAE condemns the approval of the extremist right-wing Netanyahu coalition to build 13,000 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, within just six months. This is in addition to the provocative return of settlers and their invasive incursion into Mount Sabih in Beitah, south of Nablus, to regain control over it. (June 22-23, 2023)

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

• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government passed a controversial resolution that gives practically all control regarding planning approval for construction in West Bank settlements to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, an ultranationalist advocate of settlements. (June 18, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Knesset’s House Committee discusses the lack of implementation of a law to revoke citizenship of terrorists who receive compensation from Palestinian Authority. (June 20, 2023). For further details, click here
• Knesset Speaker MK Ohana to Czech Parliament Chamber of Deputies Speaker Adamová: “I’m hopeful that we will see the Czech Republic move its embassy to Jerusalem in the near future.” (June 20, 2023). For further details, click here
• National Security Minister MK Ben Gvir to the Knesset Plenum: “I expect to take down buildings and stage targeted killings from the air, I’m not willing to endanger our soldiers by one millimeter.” (June 21, 2023). For further details, click here
• National Security Minister MK Ben Gvir: “There needs to be a full settlement here. Not just here but on all the hilltops around us. We have to settle the land of Israel and at the same time need to launch a military campaign, blow up buildings and kill terrorists. Not one, or two, but dozens, hundreds, or if needed, thousands.” (June 24, 2023). For further details, click here

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

• The US Department of State and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Luxemburg expressed their deep concern about the Israeli government’s reported decision to advance planning for over 4,000 settlement units in the West Bank. (June 18/19, 2023).
• The UN Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process is deeply concerned by the Israeli government’s decision to alter settlement planning procedures that have been in place since 1996, which is expected to expedite settlement expansion. (June 19, 2023). For further details, click here
• The UN High Commissioner of Human Rights Volker Turk is extremely worried by the deteriorating situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. He indicated that excessive use of force and unlawful killings of Palestinians by the Israeli Security Forces have increased, including apparent extrajudicial killings. (June 19, 2023). For further details, click here
• The European Union (EU) is strongly concerned by the latest events in Jenin, affirming that military operations must be proportionate and in line with international humanitarian law. The EU also reiterated that settlements are illegal, and constitute an obstacle to peace. (June 19, 2023). For further details, click here
• France expresses its deep concern following clashes during an Israeli army operation in Jenin. It once again reiterates Israel’s obligation to abide by international humanitarian law, use proportionate force and ensure the imperative protection of civilians in the occupied Palestinian Territories. (June 19, 2023). For further details, click here
• The British government has proposed a bill to prohibit public bodies and organizations from boycotting the Israeli occupation in any manner, claiming that doing so would “trigger societal tensions and anti-Semitism.” The Act prohibits UK public entities from launching their own boycott or divestment campaigns against foreign governments and territories. (June 19, 2023). For further details, click here
• The League of Arab States, the Arab Parliament and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned Israel’s widespread and continuing aggression against the city of Jenin, the infliction of more victims, the destruction of homes and property and the acceleration of the settlement process. (June 19, 2023)
• The Turkish, Jordanian, Egyptian, Qatari, Emirati, Tunisian, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli attack on the city of Jenin, calling for a halt to the targeting of Palestinian civilians. (June 21-19, 2023)
• Jordan and Spain released a joint statement emphasizing the need of continuing to coordinate efforts to preserve the Two-State solution as the only way to a just and enduring peace. The statement emphasized the necessity of UNRWA’s support and efforts in ensuring appropriate UNRWA financing. (June 20, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Pakistani Prime Minister, alongside the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli settling expansion plan of building 4500 more settlement units in the West Bank. (June 20, 2023)
• The UN Secretary-General, AntónioGuterres, urges the Government of Israel to halt and reverse decisions and to immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as they are a major obstacle to the realization of a viable Two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. (June 20, 2023). For further details, click here
• UNRWA Commissioner-General stated during his speech at the UNRWA Advisory Committee meeting that current crises threaten the agency’s ability to continue, emphasizing the need to secure $200 million in funding to maintain its services and meet urgent humanitarian needs. (June 20, 2023). For further details, click here
• During a speech to the UN Human Rights Council, U.S. Ambassador Michèle Taylor criticized the open-ended nature of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry. She further expressed her concern over the remarks by one of the Commissioners which echoed anti-semitic tropes and condemned antisemitism and anti-Israel bias while calling on all members to do the same. (June 20, 2023). For further details, click here
• UNRWA condemned the killing of two refugee children in the Jenin camp (aged 15 and 14) and called for an end to the violent escalation. It urged all parties to exercise restraint and avoid the use of violence that threatens people’s lives. (June 21, 2023). For further details, click here
• Micheál Martin, Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defence, expressed his concern over the murder of 7 Palestinians in Jenin, and of the 4 Israelis in the West Bank. (June 21, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Republic of Korea contributed US$ 1.7 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). (June 21, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attacks by Israeli settlers on several villages in the occupied Palestinian territories, calling for an immediate cessation. It also condemned the Israeli government’s approval of building 1,000 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank. (June 21, 2023). For further details, click here
• The European Union’s Delegation to the Palestinians condemns the current outbreak of settler violence across the West Bank, resulting in unacceptable indiscriminate violence against Palestinian civilians and the destruction of Palestinian property. It also recalls that Israel has the obligation to ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians in the occupied territory. (June 21, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded an immediate halt to Israeli settlers’ attacks on Palestinian villages in the West Bank. It reaffirmed its full rejection of acts of intimidation, terror, and collective punishment targeting Palestinian citizens. (June 21, 2023). For further details, click here
• On the occasion of World Refugee Day, UN experts call for prioritizing the right of return for Palestinian refugees over politics. They affirm that Israel’s policy of fragmentation and division of the Palestinian people is part of the apartheid system and hinders the right of return and self-determination. (June 21, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Algerian, Qatari, Omani, and Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry, along with the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, condemned the repeated heinous attacks and acts of intimidation carried out by Israeli settlers, encouraged and protected by Israeli occupation forces, against unarmed Palestinian civilians. (June 22-24, 2023)
• New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is alarmed at escalating tensions and violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. They repeat calls for de-escalation and the upholding of international humanitarian law. (June 22, 2023). For further details, click here
• Former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon: “Israel is inching toward apartheid and drifting further away from the hopes of creating a Palestinian state alongside it.” (June 22, 2023). For further details, click here
• S. Congressman André Carson: “I agree with the State Department that there must be accountability and justice for Palestinians, including US citizens, whose lives and property are at risk at the hands of violent, armed Israelis acting under the protection of the Israeli military. This Israeli settler violence must end.” For further details, click here
• The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli settlers’ invasion of a mosque in the village of Aqraba, south of Nablus, and their desecration of the Quran, calling for the perpetrators of this unacceptable hate crime to be brought to justice as soon as possible. (June 23, 2023). For further details, click here
• The UN Human Rights Chief calls for an immediate end to the violence in the Occupied West Bank. The violence risks spiraling out of control, fuelled by strident political rhetoric and an escalation in the use of advanced military weaponry by Israel. (June 23, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Limited Times: “In response to settlement expansion, Germany withdraws from the UN commission of inquiry condemnation of the situation in the territories”. (June 23, 2023). For further details, click here

Publications of human rights NGOs:

• Adalah Center issues a report on the brutal repression of Palestinian protests during the events of May 2021, reaffirming long-standing Israeli policies of institutionalized apartheid in law enforcement (June 20, 2023). For further details, click here
• Human Rights Watch: “Palestinian Rights Groups Face ‘Existential Threat” (June 20, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Arab Group for the Protection of Nature withdrew from a training session organized by the European Union (EU) in Italy due to the presence of an Israeli delegation and considered it a form of greenwashing. It further highlighted the contradiction of the EU’s actions by inviting occupiers to these sessions. (June 21, 2023). For further details, click here
• B’tselem: A wave of settlers’ riots across the West Bank: “Responsibility for these pogroms lies with Israel, which arms settler gangs and encourages them to attack Palestinians.” (June 21, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Palestinian Human Rights Organisations Council condemns the large-scale, systematic, and ongoing Israeli settler attacks on unarmed Palestinian citizens, homes, and properties in villages across the West Bank, particularly in the governorates of Ramallah and El-Bireh, Nablus, and Salfit. Carried out under protection of the Israeli occupying forces (IOF), this scene brings to the minds the events that took place in displaced Palestinian villages in 1948 and 1967. (June 22, 2023). For further details, click here
• PNGO and PHROC affirmed that the Imminent threat of forcible transfer of Ghaith-Sub Laban Family, is an international crime and ongoing Nakba. They added, “Third States must take meaningful and effective steps to ensure that Israel’s impunity for international crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory is brought to an end” (June 23, 2023). For further details, click here
• More than 70 human rights organizations and institutions issue a joint statement in support of the right of public bodies in Britain to take a decision to boycott companies involved in human rights violations in Palestine and oppose the law proposed by the British government to prevent public bodies from taking such measures (June 23, 2023). For further details, click here
• Haaretz Newspaper revealed documents showing the poisoning of Palestinian land in the West Bank in the 1970s for the purpose of building a settlement (June 23, 2023). For further details, click here