PALESTINE’S LEGAL SCENE –Issue.183

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

2 – 8 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 Issue 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): “The crimes committed by the Netanyahu government serve an Israeli pre-planned scheme to ignite the conflict and plunge it into an uncontrollable spiral of violence, as an alternative to signed agreements, and to sabotage any regional and international efforts toachieve “(July 3, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFAE): “Acquitting the murderer of IyadAlhallaq is proof that Israel’s judicial system is an inseparable part of the occupation.” (July 6, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Palestinian Presidency called on the US administration to reverse the illegal steps taken by the previous administration to build its embassy in the occupied city of Jerusalem, emphasizing that respect for international law is the fundamental requirement for the success of any political solution. (July 6, 2023).For further details, click here
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFAE) condemned the Israeli government’s decision to reject the evacuation of the Homesh settlement outpost, considering it a result of the international community’s failure to implement Resolution 2334. (July 7, 2023). For further details, click here

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

• “In the past few hours, we dealt a heavy blow to the terror organizations in Jenin and managed to record impressive operational achievements,” said Defense Minister Yoav Gallant following an assessment he held with military chief Lt. Gen HerziHalevi and other senior officers. (July 3, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Israeli court in Jerusalem acquitted a Border Police officer of an offense he committed when he shot and killed the Palestinian IyadHalak, who had autism, in May 2020. (July 6, 2023) For further details, click here
• In response to a petition submitted to the Israeli Supreme Court, the Israeli government refused to evacuate the Homesh settlement outpost north of Nablus. (July 7, 2023) For further details, click here

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

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Algeria, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Mauritania, and Pakistan strongly condemned the attacks by the Israeli occupation forces on the Palestinian city of Jenin and its camp through air strikes and shootings, which resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. They called for the immediate halt of repeated and escalating campaigns against the Palestinian people. (July 3/4, 2023)
• The Arab Parliament and OIC condemned the Israeli aggression against the camp of Jenin, its crimes against the unarmed civilians and medical personnel, as well as the destruction of infrastructure. (July 3, 2023)
• Tor Wennesland, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, describes the current escalation in the West Bank as “very dangerous”, indicating that protection must be provided for civilians based on the Fourth Geneva Convention. (July 3, 2023). For further details, click here
• OCHA, UNRWA, and UNESCO are deeply concerned by the Israeli air and land operations in the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank. OCHA and UNRWA called for the permission of immediate access to the injured and affected people in the camp of Jenin. (July 3, 2023)
• The British Parliament has voted in favor of a bill that prohibits local councils and other public bodies from boycotting Israeli goods. (July 4, 2023). For further details, click here
• The spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, expressed concern about the developments in Jenin, emphasizing that all military operations must be conducted with respect for international humanitarian law. The Secretary-General also condemned the recent Israeli violence in the occupied West Bank and called for restraint and respect for human life. For further details, click here and here
• JanezLenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management and Humanitarian Aid, said that the use of force in Jenin refugee camp has resulted in tragic losses, asserting that International Humanitarian Law must be respected at all times. (July 4, 2023). For further details, click here
• After concluding an extraordinary session held on the continuous and escalating Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, the Arab League Council called for urgent action to stop the Israeli aggressions against the Palestinian people and to provide them with international protection. (July 4, 2023). For further details, click here
• “UNICEF is deeply concerned by the recent escalation of violence in Jenin and its camp. According to the latest reports, at least three children were killed. It urged all parties to provide children with special protection including their right to life. (July 4, 2023). For further details, click here
• Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico issued a joint statement urging Israel to immediately end hostilities in the Palestinian territories and prevent further escalation of violence. It also emphasized the importance of international law and international humanitarian law. (July 4, 2023). For further details, click here
• The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, issued a statement regarding the events in Jenin and Tel Aviv, affirming that: “International human rights law sets clear obligations on Israel, as the occupying power, to ensure that all operations are planned and controlled so as to minimize, to the greatest extent possible, resort to force and in particular lethal force.” (July 4, 2023).For further details, click here
• Several special rapporteurs of the United Nations issued a press statement confirming that the airstrikes and ground operations targeting the Jenin refugee camp may constitute war crimes. (July 5, 2023). For further details, click here
• The European Union representative in Palestine stated that: “The military incursion into the Jenin camp was painful, and what occurred represents a violation of international law.” Israel was directly and clearly urged to refrain from any action that harms civilians and to respect international law during any military operation. (July 8, 2023). For further details, click here

Publications of human rights NGOs:

• The Independent Commission For Human Rights calls upon the international community and United Nations bodies to stand up to their legal and moral obligations and to take serious and urgent action to de-escalate Israel’s continued aggression against the city and camp of Jenin and which results in targeting civilians, civilian objects and populated areas. (July 3, 2023). For further details, click here
• Palestinian Return Centre: “Israeli raid in Jenin Refugee Camp is part of an ethnic cleansing plan.” (July 3, 2023). For further details, click here
• In response to a letter from Adalah, Israel’s Cabinet Secretary categorically denied the Palestinian right to self-determination. The Secretary claimed that Israel’s control over the West Bank is in line with international law, is legal, and is not considered an occupation. (July 3, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Palestinian Working Women Society for Development demanded urgent international protection for the Palestinian people and urged the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to restore national resistance by canceling the Oslo Accords. (July 4, 2023). For further details, click here
• Action Aid has condemned Israeli military incursions into the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank. It urged the international community to put pressure on Israel to fully comply with all of its commitments under international law to the Palestinian people under occupation. (July 4, 2023). For further details, click here
• Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Al-Haq, and several other organizations have jointly issued a statement welcoming the release of an update by the United Nations Human Rights Council to the database of businesses involved in activities that contribute to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. The organizations have emphasized that this long-awaited update is a significant step forward. (July 04, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) issued a detailed release on the raid on Jenin Camp and warned of further deterioration in the West Bank. It reiterates its call on the international community to take immediate action to stop the Israeli crimes and double standard when applying the international law. PCHR also urges the ICC Prosecutor to take serious action in the situation of Palestine. (July 4, 2023). For further details, click here
• Badil Centre condemns the attack on Jenin Camp and calls to impose sanctions on Israel and bring it in line with its responsibilities under international law. This includes: compensation for the mass destruction, damages, death, and injury it has caused; reaffirm the right of the Palestinian people to resist foreign domination and oppression in the pursuit of the right to self-determination; and provide effective physical and legal protection to the Palestinian population, particularly in Jenin and those being forcibly transferred. (July 4, 2023). For further details, click here
• B’tselem publishes an article titled: “Israeli military puts the village of al-Mughayir under closure for three weeks, disrupting the lives of its 3,200 residents and arresting over fifty people.” (July 4, 2023). For further details, click here
• European Coordination Committees and Associations for Palestine (ECCP) issues a statement calling for an increase in diplomatic presence in Jenin urgently in order to show that the international community is watching, to provide protection to Palestinians, to put an end to the present massacre and prevent its announced development. (July 4, 2023). For further details, click here
• Jewish Vote for Peace and The Global Network on the Question of Palestine condemn the repeated aerial and ground assaults perpetrated by the Israeli occupation on Jenin refugee camp and the latter calls for immediate protection for the Palestinian people. (July 3/5 , 2023)
• The PeaceNow organization provides information on the construction of new outposts near existing settlements, namely Neve Tzuf, Mevo’ot Jericho, and Neve Erez. (July 5, 2023). For further details, click here

Opinion Pieces and features:

• The Palestinian Policy Network has released an article by researcher Ahmad Omar entitled “Israel’s National Guard: A Tool for Palestinian Erasure.” The article explores the creation of a national guard in Israel under the leadership of Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir and its implications for Palestinian citizens in Israel. (July 2, 2023).For further information and the original source of the news, click here.
• Aljazeera publishes an article by scholar Rami Khouri titled: “Believe it or not, justice will prevail in Palestine”, where he sheds light upon the increasing international support the Palestinian cause is receiving amid the Israeli aggression and apartheid. (July 5, 2023). For further details, click here
• Jadaliyya publishes an article by historian Prof. AviShlaim titled: “Oom-Shmoom: Israel’s Battle against the United Nations”, which discusses the rising Israeli aggression towards United Nations Special Rapporteurs, especially to discredit and disqualify Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territory Occupied Since 1967. (July 7, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Conversation published an article written by Anne Irfan and entitled “Jenin attack created 4,000 new refugees, part of the endless cycle of Palestinian displacement since 1948”. (July 7, 2023). For further details,click here

Upcoming Human Rights events and opportunists: