PALESTINE’S LEGAL SCENE –Issue.189

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

13 – 19 Aug 2023

Issued every Sunday by Law for Palestine

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

Translation: Ferdous Abdul Hamid 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 Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, during his meeting with the Director of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, stressedthe need for immediate international intervention in response to the Israeli escalation in occupied Jerusalem. Additionally, the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine urgedrepresentatives of churches and the international community to quickly confront Israel’s crimes and attacks on the sanctities and properties of Christians.

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

• An Israeli court ordered the release of Yehiel Indore, the main suspect in the killing of 19-year-old Qosai Jammal Mi’tan in the West Bank town of Burqa. Meanwhile, Israel Police, in collaboration with the army, arrested two Palestinians – one a minor – suspected of assaulting settlers in the same clash in Burqa. The Palestinians are charged with aggravated assault and stone throwing. (August 15, 2023). For further details, click here
• Israeli Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, asked the cabinet to approve a $180m plan to expand settlements, including illegal outposts. (August 19, 2023). For further details, click here

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

• The closing statement of the tripartite summit between Palestine, Egypt, and Jordan stressed: the importance of ending the Israeli occupation of Palestine; the Palestinians’ right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state; and the need to comply with international law and United Nations resolutions.(August 14, 2023). For further details, click here
• The Government of Japan decided to extend Emergency Grant Aid of USD 1 million to the Jenin refugee camp in Palestine, which suffered severe damages from the Israeli military operation. Japan will implement humanitarian assistance through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA).(August 15, 2023). For further details, click here 
• The Government of China provided $1 million to the UNRWA for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. This was done in support of the Agency’s education program to ensure that school-age Palestine refugee children receive quality, equitable and comprehensive basic education.(August 16, 2023). For further details, click here
• The United States’ Department of State: “The expansion of settlements undermines the geographic viability of a two-state solution. It incites tensions and it further harms trust between the two parties. And we strongly oppose the advancements of settlements and urge Israel to refrain from this activity, including the promotion of outposts.”.(August 17, 2023). For further details, click here
• The European Union (EU) condemned the demolition of the EU-funded Ein Samia School in the West Bank by the Israeli occupation forces. The EU, has also called on Israel to “compensate the EU for the funding lost”. Both the EU and the UK have called on Israel to “respect Palestinian children’s right to education”. (August 18, 2023). For further details, clickhere

Publications of human rights NGOs:

• Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East: The Canadian government asking the International Court of Justice to drop an advisory opinion on the illegality of Israel’s occupation and annexation is “outrageous”. (August 15, 2023). For further details, clickhere
• Amnesty International is calling on the Israeli authorities to release Palestinian Walid Daqqa, whose deteriorating condition highlights concerns about his denial of adequate medical treatment and human rights violations in Israeli detention.(August 16, 2023). For further details, clickhere
• Al Mezan Center for Human Rights issued a press release highlighting the continued human rights violations against Palestinian fishermen by the Israeli naval forces off the coast of Gaza (August 16, 2023). For further details, clickhere

Opinion Pieces and features:

• Jonathan Panikoff publishes an article in Just Security titled: “The Last Chance for a Two-State Solution for Israelis and Palestinians May Be to Think Much Bigger”. (August 7, 2023). For further details, clickhere
• Or Bassok publishes an article in Just Security titled: “The Legal Takeover of the Manifestly Unlawful Order Doctrine in Israel”. (August 14, 2023). For further details, clickhere
• Isaac Chotiner publishes an article in The New Yorker titled: “How Israel’s Democratic Crisis Affects Palestinians”.(August 15, 2023). For further details, clickhere
• The Australian Institute of International Affairs published an analytical article by Professor of International Law Gregory Rose entitled: “The Occupied Palestinian Territories and the Illegal Israeli Settlements”. (August 16, 2023). For further details, clickhere
• Anne Irfan publishes an article in The Nation titled “Why Palestinians Could Be Facing Another Nakba”.(August 17, 2023). For further details, clickhere
• Associated Press publishes a report by Isabel Debre titled: “As Israeli settlements thrive, Palestinian taps run dry. The water crisis reflects a broader battle”.(August 17, 2023). For further details, clickhere

Human rights conferences and events:

• The former deputy chief of the Mossad, Amiram Levin, acknowledged that the Israeli army is committing war crimes in the West Bank, and that Israel is practicing an apartheid regime. During an interview with the Israeli public radio he added: “We find it difficult to say it, but that’s the truth,” Levin responded. “Look around Hebron, look at streets, streets that Arabs can’t use, only Jews, that’s exactly what happened in countries like that”.(August 14, 2023). For further details, click here
• Al-Shabaka: The Palestinian Policy Network conducted a virtual discussion titled: “Organized Resistance: Labor Strikes in the Palestinian Liberation Struggle.” This focused on how labor strikes mobilize Palestinians across the political spectrum and unite them in their struggle for liberation.(August 15, 2023). For further details, clickhere

Upcoming human rights opportunities and events:

• Organizations and activists in the field of technology in the USA announced their intention to demonstrate in front of the “Google Cloud” conference, which is going to be held at the end of the month, to condemn Google’s continued provision of technological services that reinforce the apartheid regime of the occupying state and the monitoring and oppression of the Palestinians.(August 13, 2023). For further details, click here
• The UNRWA has a vacancy for “Head Field Legal Office” in its office in the West Bank. The application closes on September 7th. For further details, clickhere
• Save The Children organization has a vacancy looking for an Advocacy & Campaigns Senior Officer inits office in the Palestinian Territories; as well as aProgram Officer
• Harvard Law School is hiring RAs on International Law and Israel-Palestine. For further details, click here