PALESTINE’S LEGAL SCENE – Vol. 59

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

14 – 20 February 2021

Issued every Sunday by Law for Palestine

This weekly report reviews the legal dynamics of the Palestine question, and everything related to international law and Palestine. The report includes an account of the most important publications, activities and conferences related to Palestine at the local, regional, international levels. The report further covers decisions, decrees, and judicial orders affecting the Palestinian cause, whether made at the official, academic or public levels. The report aims to be a reference for monitoring, documenting and archiving the latest human rights developments related to Palestine, and to present them to individuals, researchers, study centers, and official, academic and legal institutions concerned.

To view this Volume of Palestine’s Legal Scene, please click here (4 minutes read)

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

• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on the ICC to open an investigation into the crimes of the Israeli occupation without any delays.(Feb.14,2021) .To check the news, click here
• The Palestinian Ministry of Information condemns Israel’s decision to allow Israeli cellular companies to expand their coverage to 95% in the West Bank. (Feb. 15, 2021). To check the news, click here 
• Palestinian MOFAE: the Israeli occupation is accelerating its crimes in the absence of a clear position from the int’l  community.(Feb.16, 2021)To check the news, click here
• Saleh Raafat condemns the Israeli blocking of the entry of COVID-19 vaccine into the Gaza Strip.(Feb. 16, 2021)To check the news, click here
• Palestinian PM: We intend to sue the JNF internationally for violating int’l law by funding the illegal settlement. (Feb. 16, 2021)To check the news, click here
• Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh calls on Ireland to recognize the state of Palestine, to support a European position to protect the two-state solution. (Feb. 16, 2021). To check the news, click here 
• Palestinian Minister of Health: The Israeli occupation bears international responsibility for blocking Covid-19 vaccines entry into Gaza. (Feb. 16, 2021)To check the news, click here 
• The permanent representative of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour: The absence of international accountability has led Israel to further escalate its illegal actions. (Feb. 16, 2021)To check the news, click here 
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns ongoing Israeli crimes, affirms Israel is an apartheid state. (Feb. 17, 2021). To check the news, click here
• The Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs holds the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the life of the detainee, Amal Nakhleh. (Feb.17, 2021). To check the news, click here
• Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh calls on Norway to recognize the state of Palestine and the two-state solution. (Feb.17, 2021).To check the news, click here 
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemns the occupation’s deliberate dumping of waste to agricultural lands in eastern Gaza, calls on the ICC to expedite investigation of crimes against the Palestinian people. (Feb. 18, 2021). To check the news, click here
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemns the continuing violations of the Israeli occupation and considers them a natural result to international silence. (Feb. 19, 2021). To check the news, click here 

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

• The Jewish National Fund debates approving the purchase of land in the West Bank for settlement development. (Feb. 14, 2021).  To check the news, click here
• Israeli President calls on the Minister of Defense to protect the “biblical altar of Joshua” in the West Bank. (Feb. 14, 2021)To check the news, click here
• Israeli Attorney General: decision of the ICC regarding Palestine is legally void. (Feb. 15, 2021). To check the news, click here
• A bill to be introduced before the Knesset to block the International Criminal Court from carrying out investigations in Israel. (Feb. 17, 2021). To check the news, click here
• Equatorial Guinea announces its plan to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem and Netanyahu welcomes the bilateral relationship between the two countries. (Feb. 19,2021)To check the news, click here

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

• The British Consul in Jerusalem stresses the illegality of the Israeli settlements, calls them a challenge to negotiations. (Feb.15, 2021). To check the news, click here 
• King of Jordan: The Palestinian issue and the protection of the holy sites are at the top of Jordan’s diplomatic priorities.(Feb.15, 2021). To check the news, click here 
• Egyptian FM discusses peace process and means of support to the Palestinian cause with the UN Special Coordinator. (Feb. 15, 2021)To check the news, click here
• The Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its concern regarding ICC decision, declares its legal position on non-recognition of Palestine will not change. (Feb. 15, 2021). To check the news, click here
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania rejects ICC decision regarding the Palestinian territories, calls on for depoliticized work. (Feb. 15, 2021). To check the news, click here
• The International Criminal Court responds to the Israeli prime minister’s allegations of political bias and anti-Semitism. (Feb. 16, 2021).” To check the news, click here
• Secretary-General of the League of Arab States: The Palestinian issue will be a central focus for joint Arab effort in the next phase. (Feb. 16, 2021). To check the news, click here
• The Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister affirms his country’s position in support of the right of the Palestinian people and describes Israel’s policies as criminal and racist. (Feb.18, 2021). To check the news, click here 
• Jordan and Norway stress the need to create a political atmosphere to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the two-state solution. (Feb. 18, 2021). To check the news, click  here

Publications of human rights NGOs

• URJ condemns the JNF plan to purchase land in the West Bank for settlements.(Feb. 14, 2021)To check the news, click here
• Adalah Justice Project calls for an end to medical apartheid and for providing COVID-19 vaccines to Palestinians. (Feb. 15, 2021)To check the news, click here
• The Palestinian Center for Human Rights warns of the repercussions of Israel blocking entry of COVID-19 vaccines to Gaza. (Feb. 16, 2021). To check the news, click here
• Aldameer Association For Human Rights: Israeli entry blockage of Coronavirus vaccines is a clear violation of international norms and covenants. (Feb.16, 2021). To check the news, click here 
• Peace Now condemns Israeli District Court’s rejection of appeals of 6 families from Sheikh Jarrah in Jerusalem to vacate their homes. (Feb. 16, 2021). To check the news, click  here
• Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Council issues a policy paper entitled: “US Policy on Palestine: 2021 and Beyond.” (Feb. 16, 2021). To check the news, click here
• Human rights organizations urge European Union member states to support decisions on Palestine in the upcoming Human Rights Council session. (Feb. 16, 2021). To check the news, click here
• Al-Haq Organization made an urgent appeal to the United Nations Special Procedures Unit regarding intensified violence from Yitzhar settlers against the Palestinians and their property. (Feb.17, 2021). To check the news, click here 

Human rights conferences and events

• Association Belgo-Palestinienne holds a webinar on the Israeli apartheid regime, East Jerusalem as a case study. (Feb. 17, 2021). To check the news, click here
• The Foundation for Middle East Peace holds a webinar on the implications of the International    Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of “anti-Semitism” and its impact on the Palestinians. (Feb. 10, 2021). To check the news, click here