PALESTINE’S LEGAL SCENE –Issue.245

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

8 – 14 September 2024

Issued every Sunday by Law for Palestine

Prepared by: : Razwan Issa, Nour Kharouf, Arwa Abdel Moniam

 Translation: Asma Louzon and Mai Shaheen

Editing: Haneen Shaath

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.

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

• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that Israeli incitement campaigns against the Palestinian Authority are an extension of the genocide and displacement war against the Palestinian people. The Ministry stated that the remarks by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and the threats made by Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz reflect a colonial, racist mentality and a culture of bullying and political terrorism. It added that the Israeli government is seeking to exploit the war conditions to implement its colonial schemes. (September 9, 2024)
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted that the massacre committed by Israeli occupation forces in al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis is part of an Israeli policy aimed at turning the Gaza Strip into an uninhabitable area. The Ministry noted that the international community’s failure to enforce international law and the rulings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has encouraged the occupation to continue its massacres. It called for an end to Israel’s impunity. (Sep. 10, 2024)
• The Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations sent a letter to the Security Council’s President accusing Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The letter called for the imposition of sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel, as well as concrete actions through the UN General Assembly to ensure the realization of Palestinian rights, including their right to self-determination and independence. (September 10, 2024)
• The Palestinian Ministry of Finance reported that the Israeli occupation government continues to illegally deduct Palestinian clearance funds, with the deductions amounting to approximately 7.26 billion shekels. This includes 2.83 billion shekels since the start of the war on Gaza, under the pretext of allocations for the Gaza Strip, and 3.54 billion shekels allocated for the families of martyrs and prisoners since 2019. Additionally, Israel has refused to transfer accumulated departure tax revenues amounting to over 900 million shekels. (September 11, 2024)
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s provocative incursion into the occupied Jordan Valley, stating that it reflects an escalation in colonial and settlement activities and poses a serious threat to the existence of the Palestinian people in the West Bank. The Ministry also warned of the ongoing incitement by extremist Jewish organizations against Al-Aqsa Mosque. Furthermore, it condemned the continued brutal massacres committed by Israeli forces against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. (September 12, 2024)
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned of the dangers posed by Israel’s action to evacuate Palestinians from northern Gaza, viewing it as a prelude to the annexation of the Gaza Strip and significant parts of the territory for settlement purposes. The Ministry added that this plan poses a serious threat of displacing Palestinian citizens. It stressed that the international community’s failure to stop these crimes encourages the occupation to continue its colonial plans. It called for the implementation of the advisory opinion of the ICJ and the imposition of effective international sanctions on Israel. (September 13, 2024)

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

• Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, criticized a draft resolution submitted by the Palestinian Mission for a vote in the General Assembly next week. The resolution demands the implementation of recent ICJ rulings under specific timelines and with the oversight of special monitoring mechanisms. Danon warned that passing this resolution, especially on the first anniversary of the October 7 events, would be a “reward for terrorism.” He called on the General Assembly to reject this resolution outright. (September 8, 2024)
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that there will be no changes to the current status quo regarding the Temple Mount [Al-Aqsa Mosque]. He added that any visits by his government ministers to the area will require his prior approval through his military secretary. (September 8, 2024)
• Media reports suggest that, according to a classified Israeli Foreign Ministry memo, Israel plans to use the US Congress to pressure South Africa into halting legal proceedings against it at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning the war in Gaza. Israeli officials are reportedly seeking to have members of Congress convey to South Africa that there will be serious consequences for continuing the legal process against Israel. (September 9, 2024)
• The IDF issued new orders for the residents of the Atatra neighborhood in northern Gaza to evacuate. The IDF spokesperson said that the area had previously received multiple warnings and is considered a dangerous combat zone. (September 9, 2024)
• The IDF released preliminary findings of its investigation, noting that foreign national Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi was highly likely to have been indirectly and unintentionally hit by IDF fire that was not aimed at her but at “the key instigator of the riot” at the site. The IDF launched an investigation by the Military Police Criminal Investigations Division (MPCID), and its results will be submitted to the Military Advocate General’s Corps for review upon its conclusion. (September 10, 2024)
• Israeli Knesset member and leader of Yisrael Beiteinu party, Avigdor Lieberman, called for a halt to all humanitarian aid to Gaza, stating that there must be no food, water, cigarettes, fuel, and goods, to Gaza. (September 10, 2024)
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked Justice Minister Yariv Levin to urge Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to open a criminal investigation against him, as Prime Minister, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant regarding the Gaza War, in an attempt to avoid arrest warrants requested by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Baharav-Miara rejected the request, considering it a ploy that could harm Israel’s image in court. (September 12, 2024)

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

• Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi discussed with Sigrid Kaag, the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, intensifying the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in an adequate and sustainable manner, including the delivery of aid through the Jordanian land corridor.  (September 8, 2024)
• The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell stated that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is a “human-made tragedy”. With many humanitarian supplies stuck at the border, Borrell called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the opening of borders for the entry of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of the wounded. He emphasized the need for cooperation from all parties, including Israel, Egypt, and the Palestinian Authority, to facilitate aid and deploy peacekeeping forces once security is restored. (September 9, 2024)
• The World Food Programme (WFP) states that 2.2 million people in Gaza are still in urgent need of food and livelihood assistance after 11 months of war. The Programme emphasized that evacuation orders hinder aid distribution efforts at a time when needs are on the rise, underscoring the need for a ceasefire. (September 9, 2024)
• UNRWA stated that formal education is unavailable in any of its 200 schools in the Gaza Strip, as many are being used as shelters for displaced Palestinians, with over 600,000 students being deprived of formal education for another year. The agency added that children in Gaza are suffering from the worst effects of the humanitarian crisis, including the risk of disease outbreaks. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also noted that delays and denials continue to significantly constrain humanitarian access. (September 9, 2024)
• UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, expressed deep concerns over recent UN reports documenting the severe deterioration in the conditions of Palestinian detainees. These reports include cases of sexual violence, sexual torture, threats of rape and gang rape, repeated and humiliating strip searches, beatings, electric shocks, and inappropriate touching, all of which constitute serious human rights violations. Patten called for independent and thorough investigations into these violations and for ensuring unrestricted access for international bodies to detention facilities. (September 9, 2024)
• UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called for an end to the war in Gaza and to address the severe violations of international law occurring there. He stated that approximately 1.9 million Palestinians are suffering from forced displacement, and about 10,000 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons under harsh conditions. He urged countries not to accept the blatant disregard of international law and the orders of the ICJ. (September 9, 2024)
• The Swiss Parliament has adopted a motion to “immediately suspend” support for UNRWA, by a vote of 99 to 88, based on reports from the pro-Israel organization UN Watch, which accused UNRWA staff of complicity with and glorification of terrorism. The decision calls for sending aid directly to the people of Gaza and seeking an alternative solution for UNRWA. (September 10, 2024)
• During his meeting with Denmark’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit called on Denmark to follow the lead of European countries that have recently recognized the State of Palestine on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Aboul Gheit emphasized that recognizing the State of Palestine enhances the prospects for realizing a two-state solution. (September 10, 2024)
• Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that investigations are ongoing into the incident where a Jordanian citizen opened fire on the Palestinian side of the King Hussein Bridge, which resulted in the death of three Israelis. The Ministry clarified that the incident was an individual act. It also warned of the consequences of the continued Israeli aggression and escalation against Palestinians. (September 9, 2024)
• The Green Party in the UK voted in favor of recognizing the Israeli government as an “apartheid” state and its military operations in Gaza as “genocide.” The party reaffirmed its support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel and called on the British government to suspend arms export licenses to Israel and fully cooperate with the actions of international courts. (September 9, 2024)
• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy discussed their countries’ efforts to contain the Gaza crisis and prevent further escalation of the conflict. They affirmed their nations’ stance on Israel’s right to self-defense and highlighted the importance of ending the conflict in Gaza through a ceasefire agreement, which they believe is the best way to secure the release of hostages and provide substantial humanitarian aid. (September 10, 2024)
• UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini reported that the “Israeli Army stopped a UN convoy on its way to northern Gaza for more than eight hours despite prior detailed coordination.” He stated that “the convoy was stopped at gunpoint” and “heavy damage was caused by bulldozers to the UN armoured vehicles.” (September 10, 20204)
• Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar and Kuwait condemned the targeting of displaced persons’ tents in al-Mawasi of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens of Palestinians. They criticized Israel for continuing to commit war crimes and genocide against Palestinians. Egypt asserted that the ongoing massacres pose a threat to regional and international peace and security. The Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Arab Parliament, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also condemned the massacre. The OIC called on the international community and the Security Council to assume their responsibilities in imposing an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and ending the Israeli occupation. (September 10, 2024)
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the Israeli airstrike on a densely populated area in an Israeli-designated humanitarian zone in Khan Younis where displaced people were sheltering. Guterres described the use of heavy weapons in such populated areas as “unconscionable.” He reiterated his call for all parties to comply with international humanitarian law and stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire. The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, also condemned the airstrikes, emphasizing the need to uphold the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions in attacks. He called on all parties to reach an immediate agreement that will bring about the release of all hostages and a ceasefire. Wennesland stressed that the lasting solution to the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis lies in a political path with irreversible steps toward ending the occupation and establishing a two-state solution. (September 10, 2024)
• The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell strongly condemned the killing of civilians in an IDF strike on a refugee camp in Khan Younis, which the Israeli Military declared a safe zone. Borrell further stressed that “war laws must be respected, civilians protected and accountability ensured.” Meanwhile, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, called for the immediate dismantling of the Israeli occupation and the restoration of Palestinian sovereignty over what remains of historic Palestine. She noted that merely calling for respect for international humanitarian law is no longer sufficient. (September 10, 2024)
• The Arab Ministerial Committee tasked with international action to counter illegal Israeli policies and measures in occupied Jerusalem issued a statement at the conclusion of the 162nd ordinary session of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level. The committee condemned the incursions by extremist Israeli ministers and officials into the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the statements calling for the establishment of a Jewish synagogue there. It reaffirmed its rejection of any changes to the historical and legal status of Jerusalem, emphasizing that East Jerusalem is the capital of the Palestinian state based on the two-state solution. The committee agreed to strengthen regional and international efforts to document violations and enhance diplomatic efforts to impose punitive measures against Israeli violations. (September 10, 2024)
• The Prosecutor of the ICC, Karim Khan, requested the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the Court to issue the arrest warrants as sought against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, citing the nature of the “ongoing criminality” and the “worsening situation in Palestine.” Netanyahu criticized this move, describing it as a “first-degree moral disgrace” and accusing the Court of political bias. (September 10, 2024)
• During the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, the GCC States reaffirmed their condemnation of the ongoing Israeli military aggression against the Gaza strip and the recent developments in the West Bank. They emphasized the need to implement decisions related to creating a database on companies involved in Israeli settlement activities. (September 10, 20204)
• S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin called on Israeli security forces to implement fundamental changes in their operations in the West Bank, including adjustments to their rules of engagement. Both officials deemed the killing of American activist Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi unjustified. U.S. President Joe Biden also expressed deep anger and sorrow over the incident, stating that the shooting leading to her death was completely unacceptable. He called on Israel to take further measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur and to provide full accountability. (September 11, 2024)
• Corinne Fleischer, the Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe at the WFP, stated that humanitarian operations in Gaza have become more challenging than ever, especially with the approach of winter. She pointed to the increasing incidents of violence against aid workers and called for more crossing points and the facilitation of humanitarian operations to enable the WFP to perform its work effectively. Fleischer also emphasized the need to restore order and the rule of law in Gaza and allow the flow of funds into the region so that people can purchase goods from local stores. (September 10, 2024)
• South Africa announced that it will be filling its memorial to the ICJ next month containing facts and evidence to prove that Israel is committing “the crime of genocide” in Palestine. The South Africa Presidency confirmed that “this case will continue until the court makes a finding.” (September 10, 2024)
• During the 162nd session of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini urged Arab states to maintain solidarity and provide both financial and political support for UNRWA. He rejected any attempts to shut down and marginalize the agency in the strongest political terms. (September 10, 2024)
• The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Muhannad Hadi, stated that the people of Gaza feel despair and believe that the entire world has failed and abandoned them. Hadi stressed that there is a need for full access to the people of Gaza to ensure they are provided with the appropriate assistance they need, at the right time, but above all, there is a need to ensure the protection of the people of Gaza. He added that the people of Gaza are enduring unprecedented suffering, and reaffirmed the immediate need for a ceasefire. (September 10, 2024)  
• The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that aid workers in Gaza continue to face daily threats to their safety and persistent obstacles in their efforts to reach Palestinians in need of life-saving assistance. The office highlighted that Israel halted a convoy carrying 12 UN staff members who were on their way to support a polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza, despite the convoy’s movements being fully coordinated with Israeli forces. Soldiers reportedly pointed their weapons directly at the UN staff members in the convoy. OCHA emphasized that protecting humanitarian personnel and assets, and facilitating their work, is mandatory under international humanitarian law. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Muhannad Hadi, noted that the convoy’s halt underscores the security challenges facing humanitarian efforts in Gaza, despite coordination. (September 10, 2024)
• UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported that an Israeli airstrike targeted a UNRWA school sheltering displaced persons in Nuseirat in central Gaza. Dujarric noted that this is the fifth time that it had been hit since the conflict began 11 months ago. He also mentioned that the UN is working to verify reports that several colleagues from the UNRWA may have been killed in the attack. (September 11, 2024)
• The Turkish Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, has initiated an investigation into the killing of Turkish-US citizen Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi by Israeli forces. The Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed that Israeli occupation soldiers deliberately killed her during a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians and affirmed its commitment to ensuring that this crime does not go unpunished. (September 12, 2024)
• In a new report, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) stated that the war in Gaza has devastated the Strip’s economy and caused widespread economic destruction throughout the occupied Palestinian territories. The report highlighted the severe impacts, including inflation, rising poverty and unemployment rates, collapsing incomes, and financial constraints that have paralyzed the Palestinian government’s ability to function. The report called for immediate and tangible international intervention to halt the economic decline, release withheld revenues, and lift the blockade on Gaza. (September 12, 2024)
• Scottish National Party MP Brendan O’Hara criticized the British government’s decision to exempt F-35 components from the arms license suspension, despite their use by Israel in bombing densely populated areas. O’Hara asserted that this move is contrary to international law. In response, the Prime Minister stated that the government adheres to international law and that the decision is supported by all fair-minded members of the House, emphasizing the importance of getting a ceasefire. (September 12, 2024)
• An analysis conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that as of July 23, 2024, at least 22,500 people injured in Gaza suffer from life-altering injuries requiring long-term rehabilitation services. The organization noted that severe limb injuries are the primary driver of these needs, including between 3,105 and 4,050 cases of amputations. WHO emphasized that Gaza’s healthcare services are severely collapsing, with only 17 out of 36 hospitals partially functioning, exacerbating the suffering of those who need complex care. (September 12, 2024)
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the Israeli bombing of a school in Nuseirat, which was sheltering 12,000 displaced people, marking the fifth attack on the same site in eleven months. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people, including children, women, and six UNRWA staff members, raising the total number of UNRWA employees killed in this conflict to 220. Guterres called for an independent and comprehensive investigation to ensure accountability. Meanwhile, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, expressed the EU’s outrage over the killing of the six UNRWA staff members. He stressed that the disregard for fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, particularly the protection of civilians, is unacceptable and must not be tolerated by the international community. (September 12, 2024)
• Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait condemned the Israeli targeting of a UNRWA school in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, which was sheltering displaced Palestinians. The attack resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens of civilians, including UN staff members. Egypt asserted that this bombing constitutes a blatant violation of international law and reflects the international community’s failure to protect civilians, calling for action by the UN Security Council. Meanwhile, Qatar called for an urgent international investigation and the dispatch of UN investigators for fact-finding. (September 12, 2024)
• UN experts have strongly condemned incidents of violence, harassment, intimidation, and obstruction of journalists in the occupied West Bank, exacerbated by the recent Israeli military assault. This includes firing live ammunition at journalists and their vehicles, arbitrary arrests, threats, and forced searches of mobile phones, which hinder journalistic work and threaten their safety. The experts stressed that the arrests, torture, and ill-treatment of journalists, including sexual and gender-based violence, raise concerns about the punitive nature of these violations. (September 12, 2024)
• Relief organizations have reported that over one million people in Gaza will face severe food shortages this month. Thousands of trucks carrying humanitarian supplies, including food, medicine, and hygiene products, are backed up at Israeli crossings and the border with Egypt. The organization Elpida stated that minimal aid is being allowed in to avoid immediate famine, but with the ongoing blockade, long-term malnutrition and starvation remain serious risks. (September 12, 2024)
• The U.S. State Department approved the sale of heavy tank trailers to Israel for approximately $165 million. The deal includes spare parts and technical and logistical equipment, with delivery expected in 2027. The State Department confirmed that this deal aligns with the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security and stability, helping to enhance Israel’s ability to address future threats and secure its borders. (September 12, 2024)
• The foreign ministries of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait condemned Israeli incursions into the occupied Palestinian Jordan Valley by the Israeli Prime Minister and Finance Minister, which they see as an attempt to expand settlement activity in Palestinian territories in violation of international laws and UN Security Council resolutions. Saudi Arabia called on the international community to take responsibility to stop Israeli violations and ensure Palestinian rights to establish their state. Jordan also condemned the ongoing provocative calls from Israeli settler organizations threatening the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock, noting that these actions coincide with Israel’s attempts to impose new facts on the Al-Haram Al-Sharif. (September 12-13, 2024)
• The Republic of Chile has submitted a declaration of intervention to the ICJ regarding the case on Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel) under Article 63 of the Court’s Statute. Chile stated that it views the case as involving important interpretations of the concept of “genocide,” particularly concerning the international responsibilities imposed by the convention on the parties. In accordance with Article 83 of the Rules of Court, South Africa and Israel have been invited to furnish written observations on Chile’s declaration of intervention. (September 13-12, 2024)
• The UN Human Rights Office condemned the Israeli military’s targeting of shelters in Gaza with disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians. The Office reported that an Israeli airstrike targeted Al-Jaouni School in Nuseirat, Al Farouq Mosque, and Al-Shabab Club in Bureij. The UN Human Rights Office recorded 16 incidents involving attacks or shootings at schools, a rate of one school attack every other day. The Office emphasized that the deliberate use of civilians as human shields constitutes a war crime, but this does not negate the Israeli forces’ obligations under international law to comply with the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions in attack. It also emphasised that Israeli forces continue to plan and carry out militarised operations in the occupied West Bank, in violation of their obligations to conduct all law enforcement operations in a manner that minimises the use of potentially lethal force, as required under applicable international human rights norms and standards. (September 13, 2024)
• OIC condemned the Israeli occupation’s targeting of displaced persons and workers at UNRWA facilities, with the latest being the bombing of Al-Jaouni School in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, which resulted in dozens of casualties, both dead and injured. The OIC called on the international community to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2735 to immediately cease fire and end the humanitarian suffering in Gaza, as well as hold the occupation accountable. (September 13, 2024)
• At a meeting of European and Islamic countries discussing the two-state solution, Spain called on the international community to establish a clear timetable for the international community to implement the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares emphasized that the purpose of the meeting was to intensify efforts to end the war in Gaza, stressing that the two-state solution is the only path to peace in the region. Meanwhile, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit underscored the importance of practical steps to achieve the two-state solution and to halt the aggression on Gaza. He expressed hope that more European countries would take similar steps in recognizing the Palestinian state, urging action beyond mere statements. (September 13, 2024)
• Representatives of the Ministerial Joint Contact Group of the League of Arab States and OIC, along with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Representatives of Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Spain, issued the “Madrid Statement.” In this statement, they reaffirmed their shared commitment to implementing the two-state solution as the path to achieving lasting peace and security. They called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the full re-establishment of Palestinian Authority control over the Rafah crossing, the recognition of Palestine as a full member state of the United Nations, and the convening of an international peace conference as soon as possible. (September 13, 2024)
• The UNRWA mourned the death of one of its staff member who was killed in Al-Far’a refugee camp in the northern West Bank. The organization stated that this incident marks the first time an UNRWA staff member has been killed in the West Bank in more than ten years. UNRWA has been forced to suspend services to refugees because of the unacceptable risk to staff and beneficiaries during these operations. (September 13, 2024)

Publications of human rights NGOs

• Several Palestinian associations and institutions issued a statement calling on the international community to save Palestinian education from “educational genocide” as part of the International Academic Campaign against the Israeli occupation and apartheid. The statement also called for an immediate ceasefire, reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, including educational infrastructure, and accountability for Israel’s crimes. (September 8, 2024)
• Defense for Children International – Palestine confirmed in a new report titled “Targeting Childhood: Palestinian Children Killed by Israeli Forces and Settlers in the Occupied West Bank” that, since October 7, 2023, a child is killed every two days on average in the West Bank. The report addresses the deliberate targeting of Palestinian children by Israeli forces using live ammunition and aerial attacks, blocking ambulances, and confiscating children’s bodies, which constitutes war crimes and crimes against humanity. (September 9, 2024)
• The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) stressed that the repeated strikes on densely populated areas in Gaza, where Palestinian civilians have been told to flee demonstrate that Israel’s unlawful relocation directives have neither protected Palestinians nor provided any guarantees of safety. NRC Secretary-General Jan Egeland stated that “There is no safe place in Gaza and that only a ceasefire will prevent further loss of life.” (September 10, 2024)
• Human Rights Watch (HRW) has warned that the Israeli military’s use of surveillance technologies, artificial intelligence, and other digital tools to help determine targets to attack in Gaza may be increasing the risk of harm to civilians. The organization reported that the Israeli military utilizes digital tools in hostilities in Gaza to estimate the number of civilians in an area prior to an attack and to determine whether a person or building is civilian or military/combatant. It found that these digital tools rely on faulty data and inexact approximations. (September 10, 2024)
• The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention indicated that reports from human rights organizations reveal that Israel has been systematically using sexual violence and gender-based violence against Palestinians since October 7, 2023. It added that statements from Israeli leaders, social media posts by Israeli soldiers, and testimonies from Palestinians who have experienced such violence demonstrate that these practices are not only widespread but also contribute to reinforcing the sexual nature of the conflict, indicating genocidal violence. The institute called for independent investigations into these crimes. (September 11, 2024)
• An investigation by The Washington Post into the killing of Turkish-American activist Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi by Israeli forces revealed that the bullet that killed her was fired more than half an hour after clashes had ended in the village of Beita. The investigation found that the protesters had retreated over 200 yards away from the Israeli forces. Additionally, the shooting came from a long distance where the protesters posed no clear threat. The Israeli military did not provide explanations for why the shooting continued or for the identity of “the key instigator” they claimed the gunfire was directed at. (September 11, 2024)
• Adalah Justice announced a collaboration with “LittleSis” and the “Action Center on Race and the Economy (ACRE)” to expose a deep network of complicity between major weapons companies and educational and cultural organizations in the United States. It highlighted that U.S. support for these companies means that U.S. educational and cultural institutions bear responsibility for re-evaluating their connections with these companies, which contribute to funding wars and genocide. (September 12, 2024)
• The Palestine Legal condemned the recent wave of new policies aimed at suppressing pro-Palestinian student activism in U.S. universities. Many universities have imposed severe restrictions on demonstrations, including banning encampments and wearing masks, undermining freedom of expression by preventing criticism of Zionism, and imposing restrictions on expressive events. These measures have led to violent arrests of students and activists. (September 12, 2024)
• The Badil Resource Center and the the Global Palestinian Refugee and IDP Network stated that Western countries’ complicity in genocide includes supporting Israel’s campaign to dismantle the UNRWA, especially with the Swiss Parliament moving to propose halting funding for the agency. They emphasized that Israel seeks to eliminate UNRWA from serving in the Palestinian territories as part of its colonial strategy. The organizations called on countries to take punitive measures against Israel, including banning the supply of arms and technical equipment, imposing diplomatic, economic, academic, and athletic sanctions, and urging the formation of a special UN fund for UNRWA to ensure the continuation of its essential services. (September 12, 2024)

Opinion Pieces and features

• ARAB NEWS published an article by Nadim Shehadi titled “UNRWA indispensable to implementation of any peace deal.” (September 8, 2024)
• The Guardian published an article by Julian Borger and Quique Kierszenbaum titled “I am the police, I am the army’: blacklisted settler’s rule in West Bank.” (September 9, 2024)
• Just Security published an article by Adil Ahmad Haque titled “With Utmost Urgency”: Arrest Warrants and Amicus Observations at the International Criminal Court.” (September 9, 2024)
• Mondoweiss published an article by Craig Mokhiber titled “No, Israel does not have a right to defend itself in Gaza. But the Palestinians do.” (September 10, 2024)
• Al Jazeera published an op-ed by Somdeep Sen titled “Israel academia is directly complicit in the crimes of the state.” (September 10, 2024)
• Mondoweiss published an article by Mitchell Plitnik titled:” Israel’s lie about a U.S. activist’s murder has exposed Biden-Harris double standards on Palestine.” ( September 12, 2024)
• The New York Times published an article by Ben Hubbard titled “How a U.N. Agency Became a Flashpoint in the Gaza War.” (September 12, 2024)
• Mondoweiss published an opinion piece by Fathi Nemer titled “Palestinians in the West Bank are completely unprepared for the coming genocide.” (September 12, 2024)
• HRW published an article by Bill Van Esveld, Associate Director in the Children’s Rights Division for the Middle East and North Africa, titled “Time to End Business as Usual in Unlawful West Bank Settlements.” (September 13, 2024)

 Human rights conferences and events

• The Palestinian Ministry of Women’s Affairs organized briefings with UN Special Rapporteurs to highlight Israeli violations against Palestinian women under occupation. Participants called for the assignment of independent investigation committees to monitor these violations and submit reports to the UN to hold perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity accountable. They also emphasized the need to adopt a resolution subsequent to Security Council Resolution 1325 to protect Palestinian women and girls, and to stop genocide, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing. They stressed the activation of Chapter VII of the UN Charter against the occupation and the end of the apartheid regime. (September 9, 2024)
• Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) called for a boycott of global British bank Barclays due to its funding of Israeli attacks on Palestinians through its financial ties with arms companies that sell weapons to Israel. PSC revealed that Barclays invests over £2 billion and provides financial services worth £6.1 billion to companies arming Israel. It also called on individuals to close their Barclays accounts on the 6th mass account closure day, scheduled for November 21, to have the most impact. (September 11, 20204)
• The Institute for Palestine Studies (IPS) organised an event to launch a new platform documenting the targeting and destruction of the health sector in the Gaza Strip. The platform aims to provide detailed documentation of Israeli assault on healthcare facilities and personnel, highlighting the systematic targeting of medical workers as part of a broader campaign to render Gaza uninhabitable. (September 12, 20204)
• Journalists in Germany have launched a campaign calling for the protection of journalists in Gaza. They demand the lifting of Israel’s ban on international independent reporters entering conflict zones and cautioning against relying on unverified information from warring parties in reports. They also stressed the need to diversify sources, provide historical and political context, and ensure equal collaboration with Palestinian journalists. (September 13, 2024)

Upcoming human rights opportunities and events

• The Middle East Institute (MEI) announced it will host a webinar titled “Is There a “Day After”? The Future of Post-War Gaza” on September 26, 2024 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM. The webinar will explore the future of Gaza after the war, focusing on humanitarian challenges, infrastructure, and economic, security, and governmental needs. For registration, click here.
• The Palestine Legal Project announced an informational session titled “In Context Briefing on Defending Dissent: Palestine, Freedom of Speech and the Future of Protest” on September 17, 2024 at 6:00 PM Jerusalem time. The session will address the impact of anti-BDS legislation and recent arrests of protesting students on U.S. democracy and collective organizing rights.