1. Israel/Palestine, & Human Rights Munir Nuseibah PhD candidate, University of Westminster Coordinator of Al-Quds Human Rights Clinic, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem

2. 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”

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Background

6. 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.

7. 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

8. First: Creating Facts of displacement Building SettlementsWhile displacing Palestinians

9. Biggest Displacement: 1948

10. Several others successful and unsuccessful Ex. Of unsuccessful: 1956 Kufur Qasem Ex. Of successful one: Jerusalem after 1967 war

11. It is continuous TODAY In Israel’s sovereign territory Home Demolition Family reunification issue Land confiscation from Arabs (citizens of Israel) for Jewish benefit Non-recognized villages in the Naqab Dessrt Discrimination 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

13. Second: Human Rights Violations aiming at Controlling the Palestinian Population

14. War Crimes and crimes against humanity during an armed crusade

15. Movement Restrictions

16. Torture

17. Extra-judicial killings and “collateral damage”

18. Collective Punishment Gaza Totally closed Israel has control over every essential need for Palestinian life

19. Many other violations to control the population

20. It is a priority to STOP and REVERSE