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Israel/Palestine, & Human Rights. Munir Nuseibah PhD candidate, University of Westminster Coordinator of Al- Quds Human Rights Clinic, Al- Quds University, Jerusalem. Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: Complicated Problem?.
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Israel/Palestine, & Human Rights Munir Nuseibah PhD candidate, University of Westminster Coordinator of Al-Quds Human Rights Clinic, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem
Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: Complicated Problem? • Academic Example: “The Israeli-Palestinian conflict stems from ideological, historical, religious and political differences whose roots go back to antiquity.” • Statements I’ve frequently heard: “I can’t give my opinion, it is too complicated” • Or “It is not black and white”
Human Rights are now a universal language • Human Rights: Rights and freedoms to which all human beings are entitled by virtue of being human. • Human Rights are part of international law- treaties and customs.
International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law tools • International bill of human rights: • Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights • International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Other Treaties: Convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, Convention on the Rights of the Child, and others • International Humanitarian Law (for armed conflict and occupation situations): • Hague Regulations • Geneva Conventions • Customary IHL.
1948: Right to Self Determination denied ICCPR art 1: All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
Since 1948, Israeli motives behind Human Rights and IHL Violations 1. Changing facts in Palestine (From Native Arab to Settler Jewish) 2. Controlling the Palestinian population
First: Creating Facts of displacement Building Settlements While displacing Palestinians
Several others successful and unsuccessful Ex. Of unsuccessful: 1956 KufurQasem Ex. Of successful one: Jerusalem after 1967 war
It is continuous TODAY In Israel’s sovereign territory Occupied Palestinian Territory (West Bank (including east Jerusalem and Gaza) Residency withdrawals Displacement by the power of Israeli laws and military orders Building restrictions on Palestinians Jewish only settlements and roads Many other policies • Home Demolition • Family reunification issue • Land confiscation from Arabs (citizens of Israel) for Jewish benefit • Non-recognized villages in the Naqab Dessrt • Discrimination
Second: Human Rights Violations aiming at Controlling the Palestinian Population
War Crimes and crimes against humanity during an armed crusade
Collective Punishment • Gaza Totally closed • Israel has control over every essential need for Palestinian life