PALESTINE’S LEGAL SCENE –Issue.182

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

25 June – 1 July 2023

Issued every Sunday by Law for Palestine

Prepared by: Razwan Issa, Nour Kharouf, Nermin Allawh, Joman Al Khateeb

Translation: Mays Abu Atwan and Ahmad Staitia
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 Foreign Affairs (MOFAE) condemned the Israeli Prime Minister’s statements in which he explicitly stressed that “Israel must eliminate Palestine’s aspiration for an independent State”. Additionally, the MOFAE considered these statements an official confession of the Israeli government’s anti-peace policy and rejection of resolutions of international legitimacy. (June 26, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns the occupation authorities final decision to allow the construction of 5,700 new settlement units which will deepen and expand Israeli settlements on Palestinian citizens’ land. (June 27, 2023). For further details, click here

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

• Netanyahu condemns ‘calls to take land illegally’ in veiled rebuke of Ben Gvir. (June 26, 2023). For further details, click here
• In a briefing to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Foreign Minister Cohen stresses activity aimed at expanding Abraham Accords. (June 27, 2023). For further details, click here
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently told lawmakers that Israel “needs the Palestinian Authority”. Simultaneously, he reportedly stated that Israel “needs to crush the Palestinian ambition” for an independent state. (June 27, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant orders four Israelis to be held without charge over West Bank riots. (June 29, 2023). For further details, click here

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

• Nineteen Congress members are urging the Department of State to ensure equal treatment of all U.S. citizens in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) as Israel’s inclusion is considered. This includes guaranteeing full access for Americans to Israel and the OPT, and protecting freedom of expression for those advocating for Palestinian human rights. (July 1, 2023). For further details, click here
• The United States announced that it had decided to cut support to scientific and technology research in Israeli academic institutions in the West Bank, returning to a long-standing US policy that had been reversed under former US president Donald Trump. (June 28, 2023). For further details, click here
• France strongly condemned all attacks targeting civilians, in particular the terrorist attack perpetrated on June 20th in the West Bank, killing at least four Israelis, as well as the growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians and their property. It also calls for perpetrators to be brought to justice. (June 26, 2023). For further details, click here
• In its 2024 budget proposal, a US congressional committee aims to eliminate the office of the special representative for Palestinian Affairs at the US State Department that was created by the Biden administration in 2022. It would also eliminate funding for the United Nations’ general budget after lawmakers zeroed in on the organization’s position on Israel. (June 26, 2023). For further details, click here
• Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli government’s approval of the construction of approximately 5700 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank and called on Israel to put an end to such settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian Territories. (June 26, 2023). For further details, click here
• In response to Netanyahu’s remarks stating that Israel “needs to eliminate Palestine’s aspirations for a state”, a UN spokesperson says: “Our reaction is that we will hold the parties to their commitments and make sure that we continue in line with the Oslo Accords and the resolutions of the Security Council to pursue a vision of a two-state solution.” (June 27, 2023). For further details, click here
• The UN Secretary-General decides not to include “Israel” in the ‘list of shame’ of child killers due to the significant decline of Israeli airstrikes from 598 airstrikes in 2021 to 52 in 2022. (June 27, 2023). For further details, click here
• Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process warned the Security Council of the alarming spike in violence across the northern and central occupied West Bank, leading to numerous Palestinian and Israeli casualties. “The choice is clear: either continue along the downward spiral of violence and provocations leading to a political vacuum; or turn towards constructive dialogue linked to concrete actions that can create hope,” he said. (June 27, 2023). For further details, click here
• China calls for efforts toward common security for Israelis and Palestinians as well as breaking the cycle of violence between them. Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of honoring political commitments and advancing the two-state solution. (June 28, 2023). For further details, click here
• The United Nations Secretary-General condemns Israel’s housing units plans in the Occupied West Bank and warns that the ongoing settlement expansion is eroding the two-state solution. (June 29, 2023). For further details, click here
• The US Secretary of State tells foreign minister that White House appreciates Israeli leaders’ condemnations of recent rampages, but more must be done. (June 27, 2023). For further details, click here
• Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued an update to the database of business enterprises involved in certain activities relating to settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. (June 30, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Government of Spain rejects the measures approved this week on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank and condemns the violence exercised by settlers. (June 30, 2023). For further details, click here
• The governments of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom declare that they are “deeply concerned” about recent events in the occupied West Bank, including Israel’s decision to expand its illegal settlements there amid rising violence. They further stated that this, “further reduces the prospects for peace”. (July 1, 2023). For further details, click here

Publications of human rights NGOs:

• The World Zionist Organization pushes for Jordan Valley annexation and the imposing of Israeli sovereignty on it. This came up during an event in the Knesset at which both right-wing and leftist representatives established a new group in Knesset called “Jordan Valley First”. (June 28, 2023). For further details, click here
• B’tselem issues an article titled: “East Jerusalem: Violence against Palestinians during Ramadan prayers, Sabbath of Light and the Flag March”. (June 28, 2023). For further details, click here