PALESTINE’S LEGAL SCENE – Issue.275

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

 6 – 12 April 2025

Issued every Sunday by Law for Palestine

Prepared by: Razwan Issa, Nour Kharouf, Arwa Abdel Moniam, Kamal Abdulkarim, Murad Abu Murad

Translation: Maisaa Abdelqader and Ferdous Abdul Hamid

Editing: Ihsan Adel

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 and Expatriates summoned the Hungarian Ambassador, Gábor Diczházi, to protest Hungary’s hosting of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite an ICC arrest warrant issued against him for war crimes. Adel Atieh, Director of the Ministry’s European Department, affirmed that welcoming Netanyahu encourages Israel to continue committing acts of genocide and constitutes a grave act of complicity. (April 8, 2025)
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned the decision by Israeli occupation authorities to close six UNRWA schools in Jerusalem, describing it as a gross violation of the immunity and privileges granted under United Nations resolutions. The Ministry stated that the closures deprived hundreds of students of their right to education and enforced the Israeli curriculum in an attempt to reshape students’ understanding of their own identity. (April 8, 2025)
• The Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education condemned the Israeli occupation forces for storming the campus of Al-Quds University in the town of Abu Dis, assaulting students and staff. The attack resulted in injuries among members of the university community and caused damage to campus facilities. (April 8, 2025)
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep concern over Israel’s continued unjust deductions from Palestinian tax revenues (clearance funds), which have now exceeded 7 billion shekels. The Ministry described these deductions as part of colonial and racist political schemes aimed at weakening the Palestinian Authority within the broader context of a systematic assault on the Palestinian people and their rights. (April 8, 2025)
• The Jerusalem Governorate considered plans by the so-called “Extremist Temple Groups” to carry out Jewish Passover rituals, including the slaughter of offerings, inside and around Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem. It warned that such acts constitute a dangerous escalation, targeting Islamic and Christian holy sites, provoking Muslim sentiments, and undermining the historical and legal status quo of Al-Aqsa. (April 8, 2025)
• Palestinian religious authorities denounced the Israeli occupation for placing locks on rooms and shrines inside the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. They warned that the extremist Israeli government is deliberately fuelling religious tensions by targeting sacred sites, risking the transformation of the political conflict into a religious one. (April 8, 2025)
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates warned that Israeli occupation authorities are exploiting religious holidays to escalate colonial measures and push for the annexation of the West Bank. This includes intensified military deployment and the installation of iron gates isolating Palestinian cities and refugee camps. The Ministry also raised alarm over renewed evacuation and displacement orders in Gaza and Khan Yunis, describing them as part of broader efforts to eradicate the Palestinian people. It called on the international community to intervene to halt the aggression and provide urgent protection. (April 11, 2025)

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

• Israeli authorities denied entry to two British Members of Parliament, Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang, who were scheduled to visit the West Bank. The Israeli embassy in London justified the decision by accusing the MPs of “ spreading false allegations against Israel, calling for sanctions against Israeli ministers and elected officials, and promoting calls for its boycott.” e embassy added that “Israel will not allow the entry of individuals or entities that act against the state and its citizens, promote calls for its boycott, accuse it with false allegations, or call for sanctions against ministers and elected officials.” (April 6, 2025)
• In response to reports that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had informed the government of the urgent need to resume humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that “ Not even a grain of wheat will enter the Strip.”​ (April 7, 2025)
• Haaretz newspaper reported that the Israeli military is preparing to incorporate the southern Gaza city of Rafah and surrounding neighbourhoods into a buffer zone being established along the Gaza-Egypt border. The plan reportedly includes around 75 square kilometres—approximately one-fifth of Gaza’s total area—and aims to isolate the Strip from Egypt. According to the report, all buildings in the area will be demolished, and residents will not be allowed to return. (April 9, 2025)
• Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee announced that the army had reissued urgent evacuation orders to residents of seven neighbourhoods, including al-Shujaiya. He called on residents to leave immediately, claiming that the military would soon launch intensive operations to destroy what it described as “terror infrastructure” in those areas. (April 11, 2025)

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

• The Government of Nicaragua announced its decision to terminate the legal proceedings filed before the International Court of Justice against Germany concerning serious violations of the rights of the Palestinian people and the Genocide Convention. The decision was attributed to the high financial costs, which are difficult for a developing country like Nicaragua to bear. The government reaffirmed its continued support for the Palestinian people and state across all areas, and called on countries with greater resources to pursue international legal avenues to demand respect for Palestinian rights. (April 4, 2025)
• The United Nations Human Rights Council has voted to extend Francesca Albanese’s mandate as Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories for another three years. Despite sustained pressure from pro-Israel governments and advocacy groups, the Council reaffirmed its support for Albanese and its commitment to monitoring the human rights situation in the occupied territory. (April 5, 2025)
• British Members of Parliament Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang, who were denied entry to the West Bank and Israel, stated “we were astounded at the unprecedented steps taken by Israeli authorities.” The UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy, described the incident as “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning”, adding “I have made clear to my counterparts in the Israeli government that this is no way to treat British parliamentarians, and Foreign Office had been in touch with both MPs to offer support.” ( April 5-6, 2025)
• UN agencies including UNRWA, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and the World Health Organization issued a joint statement warning of the severe deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. No humanitarian or commercial aid has entered the area for over a month, leaving more than 2.1 million Palestinians trapped under bombardment and facing starvation. The agencies highlighted the collapse of the healthcare system, the depletion of medical supplies, and the closure of bakeries supported by the World Food Programme, while ongoing evacuation orders continue to displace hundreds of thousands. They called on world leaders to take urgent action to uphold international humanitarian law, protect civilians, facilitate the entry of aid, and renew the ceasefire. (April 7, 2025)
• On World Health Day, the World Health Organization stated that Gaza continues to suffer from dire health conditions due to the ongoing conflict. The organisation emphasised that children and women in the Strip are facing the most severe health challenges. It added that between 18 March and 4 April 2025, following the resumption of hostilities, more than 500 children and 270 women were reportedly killed. The crisis of food and clean water shortages continues to worsen under the ongoing blockade. (April 7, 2025)
• During a trilateral summit in Cairo, the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, and France called for an immediate return to the ceasefire and the urgent and unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid. They urged the implementation of the January 19 ceasefire agreement, which guarantees the release of all hostages and detainees and ensures security for all parties, along with full access for aid delivery. The leaders expressed deep concern over the worsening situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and called for an end to all unilateral measures that undermine the viability of the two-state solution and escalate tensions. (April 7, 2025)
• A group of independent human rights experts warned that Israel’s actions in Gaza and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories are leading to the massacre of Palestinians. They highlighted the targeting of eight paramedics from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Rafah, who were buried in a mass grave, describing the incident as further evidence of genocidal intent. The experts also noted that international investigators have still not been granted access to Gaza, obstructing efforts to preserve crucial evidence and ensure accountability. They called on states to halt all political and material support to Israel, warning that continued support violates their obligation to prevent genocide and risks rendering them complicit. (April 7, 2025)
• The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned the bombing of a journalists’ tent in Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza, which killed one journalist and injured several others. The OIC described the attack as a flagrant violation of press and media freedom and a reflection of Israel’s ongoing policy of suppressing the truth and silencing voices. The organisation reiterated its call on the International Criminal Court to continue investigating all crimes committed by Israel, including the targeted killings and arbitrary arrests of journalists. (April 7, 2025)
• The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) declared that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is catastrophic. Nearly the entire population is experiencing severe food insecurity, food prices have soared, and extensive damage to agrifood infrastructure has significantly increased the risk of famine, particularly as the conflict continues and humanitarian access remains limited. (April 7, 2025)
• The Dutch government announced that it had tightened export controls on all military and “dual-use” goods destined for Israel. According to a government letter to parliament, all direct exports and transit of such goods will now be individually assessed for compliance with EU regulations and will no longer be authorised under general export licences. The government also confirmed that no military goods have been exported to Israel under a general licence since the outbreak of the war in Gaza following October 7, 2023. (April 7, 2025)
• The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, stated that more than a month has passed without a single drop of aid entering Gaza. He added: “It’s time to end the dehumanization, protect civilians, release the hostages, ensure lifesaving aid & renew the ceasefire.” (April 8, 2025)
• The Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, stated that Israeli officials from the Jerusalem Municipality, accompanied by Israeli security forces, forcibly entered six UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem and handed over closure orders effective in 30 days. The closures directly affect 800 Palestinian refugee children, who are now at risk of being unable to complete the school year. Lazzarini affirmed that UNRWA schools in occupied East Jerusalem are protected under the privileges and immunities of the United Nations, and that the unauthorised entry and issuance of closure orders constitute a violation of these protections. (April 8, 2025)
• The Jordanian and Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, along with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, condemned Israel’s decision to close six UNRWA schools in Jerusalem. They described the move as a violation of international law and an attack on the mission of the Agency. (April 8, 2025)
• UNICEF stated that children in Gaza are trapped in an unending cycle of fear, violence, and deprivation, stressing that this situation must end immediately. The organisation called for the protection of children, the facilitation of humanitarian aid, and the urgent resumption of the ceasefire. (April 9, 2025)
• UNRWA reported that children in northern Gaza are no longer searching for toys or school supplies, but for water. Instead of attending school, they are pushing carts in a desperate search for something to drink. The agency noted that more than five weeks have passed since Israel imposed a full blockade, halting the entry of both humanitarian and commercial supplies into Gaza. This has led to a growing scarcity of clean water, food, shelter, and medical care. (April 9, 2025)
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that humanitarian workers in Gaza are under fire even as they continue to do everything they can to help civilians. He affirmed that UN agencies and partners remain ready and determined to deliver aid. However, he warned that the Israeli authorities’ newly proposed “authorisation mechanisms” risk further controlling and unjustly restricting aid. Guterres declared, “We will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles: humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality”, and stressed the urgent need to guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access and ensure the protection of humanitarian personnel as provided under international law. (April 9, 2025)
• At its 221st session, the UNESCO Executive Board adopted three resolutions concerning the State of Palestine. The first, “Occupied Palestine ” (221 EX/33), called for an immediate halt to all excavations, construction, and projects in occupied Jerusalem, including the Old City and surrounding areas, as well as at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. It also demanded an end to settlement activities and all actions aimed at altering the character and demographic composition of the occupied Palestinian territory. The second resolution, “Cultural and Educational Institutions” (221 EX/34), addressed the rising violence in the occupied Arab territories and its impact on education, particularly the targeting of schools. A third resolution, “The Impact and Consequences of the Current Situation in the Gaza Strip on All Aspects of UNESCO’s Mandate,” expressed deep concern about how the ongoing crisis in Gaza is affecting the organisation’s work in education, culture, and heritage. (April 9, 2025)
• French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France may recognise the State of Palestine by June, as part of a collective effort to encourage other countries to recognise both Palestine and Israel. He emphasised that France would not take this step to appease anyone, but because it would be the right thing to do at the right time. (April 9, 2025)
• The 150th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) unanimously adopted a resolution affirming that the two-state solution remains the only viable path to ending the cycle of violence and ensuring security and equal rights for both peoples. The resolution called on national parliaments to advocate for an immediate ceasefire, the lifting of the blockade on Gaza, unhindered access to humanitarian aid, the release of hostages and political detainees, continued support for UNRWA, and mutual recognition of the States of Palestine and Israel. It further urged the promotion of parliamentary diplomacy, the protection of civilians, the advancement of legislation supporting a two-state solution, respect for the ICJ’s legal opinions, and the strengthening of the IPU’s engagement through the transformation of its Middle East Committee into a strategic task force. (April 9, 2025)
• The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has announced the dates for public hearings in the advisory proceedings concerning Israel’s obligations regarding the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organisations, and third states in and in relation to the occupied Palestinian territory. The hearings will take place from Monday, 28 April to Friday, 2 May 2025. (April 9, 2025)
• The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned that the Gaza Strip is on the brink of “very, very deep hunger”, as essential supplies continue to run out due to Israel’s blockade, now in place for over six weeks. UNRWA reported that nearly 400,000 people have been displaced in Gaza following the breakdown of the ceasefire, and it reiterated its calls for the renewal of the ceasefire, the lifting of the blockade, and the unimpeded entry of both humanitarian aid and commercial goods. (April 10-11, 2025)
• Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that since 18 March, Israeli forces have issued 21 evacuation orders, the latest of which—issued on 31 March—covered most of Rafah governorate, forcing Palestinians into overcrowded areas with extremely limited resources. She warned that these mass evacuation orders raise serious concerns about Israel’s intent to permanently remove the population, which, if confirmed, would constitute a crime against humanity. She also expressed grave concern over the use of starvation as a method of warfare, and noted that the Commission is increasingly alarmed by the living conditions being imposed on Palestinians in Gaza, which appear to be incompatible with their continued existence as a group. (11 April 2025)
• A joint statement was issued following a meeting between the foreign ministers and representatives of the Arab League Ministerial Committee on Gaza and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, along with representatives from Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, China, and Russia. The statement called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and stressed the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, under the authority of the Palestinian Authority (PA). It condemned the renewed Israeli attacks on Gaza and urged full adherence to international law and international humanitarian law. (April 12, 2025)

Publications of human rights NGOs

• The New York Times published a video recovered from the cellphone of a paramedic who, along with 14 other aid workers, was found in a mass grave in Gaza in late March. The footage shows that the ambulance and fire trucks they were travelling in were clearly marked and had their emergency signal lights on when Israeli forces opened fire. The video directly contradicts Israel’s claim that the vehicles approached “suspiciously” without headlights or emergency signals, and that the forces did not randomly target an ambulance. (April 4, 2025)
• Amnesty International Ireland condemned reports suggesting that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s plane was preparing to depart Budapest, stating that many European countries are under a legal obligation to arrest and transfer him to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The organisation urged EU leaders to take immediate action and prevent Netanyahu from flying through European or EU sovereign airspace, warning that allowing such passage would be a direct affront to the international community. (April 6, 2025)
• The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention issued a strong condemnation of Israel, Europe, Canada, and the United States, accusing them of complicity in the genocide in Gaza. The Institute criticised the Western justification of Israel’s actions as “self-defence”, describing it as a bad-faith argument used to mask the reality of ongoing atrocities. It stated that these countries have knowingly supported genocide, linking the rise of fascism in the West to both the cause and consequence of such support. The Institute called on the global community to unite and peacefully end this horror driven by elite power structures. (April 6, 2025)
• Kerem Navot and Peace Now released a joint report revealing that a small group of Israeli settlers, with direct government backing, have seized control of 14% of the West Bank by establishing over 100 shepherding outposts. The report outlines how the Israeli government provided both political and financial support, including land allocations and direct funding, to facilitate this process. (April 6, 2025)
• Al-Haq launched a comprehensive database documenting more than 1,000 instances of incitement and expressions of genocidal intent against Palestinians. These cases are based on hundreds of statements made by Israeli officials and public figures since 7 October 2023, including on social media, in official declarations, and through televised interviews. Al-Haq stated that these remarks represent a systematic and widespread pattern of incitement to violence and genocidal rhetoric. (April 6, 2025)
• To mark World Health Day, the Palestinian Return Centre issued an urgent briefing to UK Members of Parliament, highlighting the collapse of the healthcare system in Gaza and the devastating impact of Israeli policies on maternal and newborn health. The briefing drew attention to the deliberate targeting of healthcare facilities and personnel. In parallel, the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights issued a statement condemning Israel’s systematic destruction of Gaza’s health sector and its continued blockade of humanitarian aid. (April 6–7, 2025)
• The Union of Teachers and Employees at Birzeit University in Ramallah issued a statement condemning the ongoing targeting of Palestinian universities, students, and intellectuals, describing it as part of a sustained colonial campaign. The union called for the immediate cessation of the genocide, prosecution of war crimes, and an escalation in support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, describing it as a moral imperative to end the normalisation of this violence. (April 7, 2025)
• Breaking the Silence released a new collection of Israeli soldiers’ testimonies, detailing the systematic annihilation and expropriation of entire villages and agricultural areas located within the newly declared Gaza buffer zone, which the Israeli army completed in December 2024. The testimonies point to a deliberate and comprehensive destruction of civilian life and property in the area. (April 7, 2025)
• The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemned the massacre targeting a tent for journalists near Nasser Hospital, Khan Younis, urging the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution to halt the ongoing genocide, and calling on the ICC to expedite proceedings against Israeli war criminals. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights also condemned the attack. (April 7, 2025)
• The Palestinian Red Crescent Society called for an independent international investigation into the deliberate attack on its ambulance convoy in Rafah on 23 March, deeming it a war crime and part of a dangerous pattern of violations of international humanitarian law. Evidence shows clear medical markings and adherence to safety protocols, while a preliminary forensic report confirmed targeted gunshots killed the medics. (April 7, 2025)
• In a joint oral statement, Al-Haq and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights warned the UN Human Rights Council of the existential threat facing Palestinians due to systematic Israeli policies. They stressed that the silence of the international community amounts to complicity and a breach of international law. (April 7, 2025)
• The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) denounced the Israeli military’s continued targeting of civilians gathered near field kitchens and food distribution points in Gaza, vital for the survival of hundreds of thousands. (April 8, 2025)
• J Street criticised S. President Donald Trump for enabling an increasingly brutal war on Gaza by giving Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu a “blank cheque” to ignore humanitarian law, wage war, and block aid—despite public claims of seeking peace. (April 8, 2025)
• The Palestinian American Community Centre in New Jersey called on the U.S. administration to launch an immediate investigation into the killing of 14-year-old U.S. citizen Omar Mohammad Saadeh Rabee by Israeli forces in Turmus Ayya, northeast of Ramallah, and urged accountability. (April 8, 2025)
• Adrian Zimmermann, Head of the Sub-Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza, described the killing of paramedics from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society as a profound tragedy and a severing of lifelines for civilians in Gaza. He urged that this incident be a genuine turning point, stressing that humanitarian and medical personnel are protected under international humanitarian law. (April 9, 2025)
• In an urgent appeal, the Palestinian NGO Network called for Gaza to be declared a “humanitarian famine zone” amid ongoing blockades of aid and fuel, and escalating attacks on displaced persons’ tents, humanitarian centres, and vital infrastructure across the Strip. The network urged the international community—particularly the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, and other relevant institutions—to take immediate action to stop the genocide against civilians in Gaza. (April 10, 2025)
• SOMO published a report by Lydia de Leeuw and Maria Hengeveld titled “Unleashing Terror: Dutch Dogs in Israel’s War Crimes.” The report reveals that the Israeli military systematically uses dogs to brutalise Palestinians, including children, the elderly, and detainees, in violation of international law. It also highlights that the Genocide Convention obliges the Netherlands to take action to prevent genocide. By continuing to allow the export of military dogs to Israel, the Netherlands is failing to uphold its international legal obligations. (April 10, 2025)
• Tommaso Della Longa, spokesperson for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), condemned the killing and mass burial of humanitarian workers in Gaza, calling it unacceptable for aid workers to witness their colleagues being murdered while trying to save lives. He stated that the Israeli attack on ambulance and civil defence crews in Rafah, southern Gaza, has sparked widespread outrage in the international relief community, and called for immediate action to end the targeting of relief and rescue teams. (April 11, 2025)
• Mirjana Spoljaric, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, describing the conditions as “hell on earth” due to the widespread lack of water, electricity, and food. She further revealed that the Red Cross hospital is expected to run out of supplies within two weeks, threatening the continuation of its life-saving services. (April 11, 2025)
• The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate strongly condemned the Israeli occupation forces’ assault on a Palestine TV crew in Jenin. The attack involved the detention of journalists Amina Bilalo and Tareq Abu Zaid for several hours, live fire directed at them, and the confiscation of their journalistic and personal equipment. (April 12, 2025)

Opinion Pieces and features 

• The Guardian published an opinion piece by Jagan Chapagain titled: “Our aid workers were brutally killed and thrown into a mass grave in Gaza. This must never happen again.” (April 5, 2025)
• The Counter Punch published an article by Daragh Cogley titled: “Understanding Israel’s Impunity.” ( April 6, 2025)
• The Guardian published an op-ed by Nesrine Malik titled: “Politicians want to normalise what’s happening in Gaza. Our moral outrage won’t let that happen.” ( April 7, 2025)
• Just Security published an article by Eitan Diamond, titled “New Israeli Guidelines Threaten to Eliminate Humanitarian Action in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Almost Entirely” (April 8, 2025)

Human rights conferences and events

• Around 360 Israeli medical professionals—half of them doctors—signed a letter demanding an investigation into the killing of 15 aid workers in the Gaza Strip approximately two and a half weeks ago, and the prosecution of those responsible. They described the killing of rescue and medical personnel on duty as a blatant violation of the laws of armed conflict. The signatories stressed the need for a thorough and reliable investigation that leads to genuine accountability. (April 9, 2025)
• The Guardian reported that British lawyer Michael Mansfield, alongside a group of legal professionals and on behalf of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights and the Public Interest Law Centre, is preparing to submit a complaint to the Metropolitan Police against 10 British citizens who served in the Israeli military in Gaza. The complaint accuses them of committing war crimes, including the targeted killing of civilians and aid workers, and carrying out indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas and hospitals. (April 7, 2025)