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SES MODEL UNITED NATIONS

2015
SAMSUN SES COLLEGE
SPECIAL POLITICAL AND
DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE

ISRAEL-PALESTINE
CONFLICT
DL SU GL
NLFER ALPTEKN

Welcome Letter
First of all , we would like to extend you a warm welcome to the SPECPOL committee of the
s'MUN 2015 .As s'MUN is the first Model United Nations Conference in Samsun, It's our great
honor to chair this committee for you.
Those who are inexperienced in terms of MUN skills as well as MUN-wise experienced
students may participate in this committee; both to increase their knowledge on MUN and learn
by doing.If this is your first, do not hesitate to participate as much as the others. In quintessence,
it is all about understanding what it is your country, which you will be respresenting,wants and why it
acts the way it does.Think about how you can convince others of your ideas and solutions but keep
scope and flexibility of your countries policies in mind, so that are open for comepromises and can
work together with the other delegates in finding resolution your country would accept.
It has to be said that preparation is the fundament of any delegate at a MUN. But we invite
you to perceive the guide as a starting point for further research.We expect you to come up with
ideas on the issues of human rights,Gaza and the blockade ,water and other fundamental resources
in Gaza,West Bank and the barriers, Jerusalem and further topics on this study guide.
As a chair,it is our pleasure to create the environment in which you can have the best
possible MUN experience.We will be there to support you and make sure that you will have a
MUNderful time ! Before or during the conference time, please do not hesitate to ask any kind of
questions.

SPECPOL Committee Directors 2015


dil Su Gl
Nilfer Alptekin

Introduction
The Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL) is the fourth committee of the United
Nations General Assembly.It deals with a variety of subjects, discusses and takes action on some of
the most major issues present in our rapidly changing global society.For Ses College Model United
Nations Conference 2015, the SPECPOL committee will adress the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Palestine has been on the agenda of the United Nations since the creation of the UN. The conflict in
the Middle East is one of the most important and most-discussed topics of the United Nations.
The purpose of this guide is not to describe the conflict in its entirety, but to provide a starting point
for research by introducing key terms, events, main countries, and to help delegates focus on the key
issues root the conflict.
Table of Contents
1.Historical Background
1.1 The Israeli State
1.2 Arab-Israeli War
2 Peace negotiations
3 Palestine's Status in the UN
3.1 UN General Assembly Resolution 67/19
3.2 Report on the Status of Palestine at the UN
4.Issues
4.1 Human Rights
4.2 Occupation and the Fourth Geneva Convention
4.3 Gaza and the blockade
4.4 Water and other fundamental resources in Gaza
4.5 West Bank and the Barrier
4.6 Israeli settlements and settler's violence in West Bank
4.7 Arrests and detention
4.8 Jerusalem
5.Political dimension: Palestine- Israel peace
6.Questions to be discussed
7.Further reading and Bibliography

1.Historical Background
The political idea of "Zionism" supporting the creation of a Jewish state in Israel,the land given to
them by God as it says in the Torah,came up at the and of the 19th century and was led by the
Viennese Jew Theodor Herzl. The previous British colonial power confirmed the favor of "the
establishment (...) of a national home for the Jewish people" on the understanding " that nothing can
be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of the existing non-Jewish communities in
Palestine" in the Balfour-Declaration of 1917.It was in this time period where the desire for an Arab
State also began to emerge in the region.
Two years after the second World War, in February 1947 The Great Britain gave its mandate over
Palestine to the newly created UN making a point to "the desirability of an early settlement in
Palestine" a special session of the General Assembly was created in order to constitute and lead a
special committee the UNSCOP (United Nations Special Committee on Palestine).In the UNResolution 181 from 29th November 1947 a division of the region into a Jewish and an Arab state
was decided while David Ben Gurion proclaimed the Jewish State of Israel on the 14th May 1948, the
Arabs couldn't accept the partition and instead of announce their own state, the Arab nations started
the first Israeli-Arab War.

1.2 Arab-Israeli War


During the first Arab-Israil War 1948-49 Israel was able to enlarge its territory- but also some of the
Arab states had their own district.Jordan conquered the West Bank which it annexed in 1950 and
Egypt occupied the Gaza Strip.The war ended with ceasefires.
The Suez Crisis 1956 was mainly affected by the Cold War. Together with French and British
troops,Israel attacked Egypt in a venture to reverse the nationalization of the Suez Canal.After the

Soviet Union clearly sided with the Arabs and even threatened using atomic bombs, the military
actions were stopped under American pressure and UN peacekeeping forces were installed.
The 6-day War 1967 was an important turning point in the geographical situation of the region.Egypt
and Syria concluded a defense allience against Israel in November 1966.After several air-to-air
encounters between Syrian and Israeli airforces the situation escalated and Israel launched a preemptive strike and brought the Egypt Sinai, the Syrian Golan, the oldtown part of Jerusalem,the West
Bank ( formally annexed by Jordan) and the Egyptian controlled Gaza Strip under its control. These
regions should serve as a military "buffer area" and secure Israeli water resources.The Israeli and
Arab side could never agree if the Israeli actions were based on defense or if they were an act of
aggression.Still the result was that Israel could threefold it's terrorities. Most importantly for Israel, it
had brought that part of Jerusalem under its control in which the Wailing Wall is located.

2.Peace Negotiations
Peace negotiations began in 1990's and changed their dynamics in the new millenium.The first peace
conference between Arab States and Israel was in Madrid,October 1991.The Palestinians were
represented by the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) as a part of Jordanian delegation.This
strategies for the peace negotiations were hidden in the seperation of the Israeli-Arab negotiations
from the Israeli-Palestinian ones,which should follow a "land for peace" tactic.In 2000 and 2001 the
negotiations at Camp David and Taba on a permanent status agreement emerged to be without any
significant result.

3.Palestine's Status in the UN


Yasser Arafat(the leader of PLO) appeared before the General Assembly on 13.11. 1974 on the
occasion of a re-examination of the question of Palestine.He announced:"Today I have come,bearing
an olive branch and a freedom-fighter's gun.Do not let the olive branch fall from my hands".Nine
days after his speech the PLO was invited to participate in its proceeding with observer status before
the GA accepting the PLO as the representetive of the Palestinian people but as non-state
presence.Later the PLO obtained the same observer status in all UN bodies. The PLO declared the
State of Palestine in 1998 in Algiers-But that time had no actual control over any part of the
proclaimed terrorities.The General Assembly acknowledged this publication its resolution 43/177 of
15 December 1988 and decided that the status "Palestine" should be used to replace "PLO".The
Palestinian National Authoritiy (PNA) was established in 1994 and still carries out certain
administrative tasks.In 1998 the General Assembly decided in its resolution 52/250 to grant
additional rights and privileges of participation to Palestine in the GA the UN and international
conferences.

3.1 UN General Assembly Resolution 67/19


To understand the question of Palestine, it is important to appreciate fully the content of the UN
General Assembly Resolution 67/19 (29th November 2012). Palestines rights as a non-member
observer in the United Nations are best explained by quoting the seven operative clauses of the
resolution. Under it, the General Assembly:

1. Reaffirms the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to independence in their
State of Palestine on the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967;
2. Decides to accord to Palestine non-member observer State status in the United Nations, without
prejudice to the acquired rights, privileges and role of the Palestine Liberation Organization in the
United Nations as the representative of the Palestinian people, in accordance with the relevant
resolutions and practice;
3. Expresses the hope that the Security Council will consider favourably the application submitted on
23 September 2011 by the State of Palestine for admission to full membership in the United Nations;
4. Affirms its determination to contribute to the achievement of the inalienable rights of the
Palestinian people and the attainment of a peaceful settlement in the Middle East that ends the
occupation that began in 1967 and fulfils the vision of two States: an independent, sovereign,
democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security with
Israel on the basis of the pre-1967 borders;
5. Expresses the urgent need for the resumption and acceleration of negotiations within the Middle
East peace process based on the relevant United Nations resolutions, the terms of reference of the
Madrid Conference, including the principle of land for peace, the Arab Peace Initiative and the
Quartet road map to a permanent two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for the
achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement between the Palestinian and
Israeli sides that resolves all outstanding core issues, namely the Palestine refugees, Jerusalem,
settlements, borders, security and water;
6. Urges all States, the specialized agencies and organizations of the United Nations system to
continue to support and assist the Palestinian people in the early realization of their right to
selfdetermination, independence and freedom;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary measures to implement the present
resolution and to report to the Assembly within three months on progress made in this regard.
In this way, it is only in the hands of the Security Council to decide whether or not full membership
will be granted to Palestine. Palestines current status has been further clarified in a report by the UN
Secretary-General on the Status of Palestine in the United Nations, issued on 8th March 2013. This
report represents a clear and up-to-date overview on the perception of Palestines current
circumstances by the United Nations and the international community as a whole.

3.2 Report on the Status of Palestine at the UN


Excerpted from the Report of the Secretary-General on Palestine, 8th March 2013:
II. Non-member observer status in the United Nations
A. Name and status of Palestine
2. In accordance with paragraph 2 of resolution 67/19, Palestine has been treated as a nonmember
observer State by the Secretariat since the adoption of the resolution. Accordingly, the publication
on permanent missions prepared by the Protocol and Liaison Service entitled Permanent Missions

to the United Nations (the Blue Book) now lists Palestine under category II as a Non-member State
having received a standing invitation to participate as observer in the sessions and the work of the
General Assembly and maintaining permanent observer mission at Headquarters.
3. On 12 December 2012, Palestine informed the Secretary-General that the designation State of
Palestine should be used in all documents and for its nameplate in all United Nations meetings. It
further informed the Secretary-General that the Head of State was Mahmoud Abbas, President of
the State of Palestine. On 8 January 2013, Palestine informed the Secretary-General that the Head of
Government was Salam Fayyad, Prime Minister of the State of Palestine, and that the Minister for
Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine was Riad Malki. In accordance with its request, the
designation State of Palestine is now used in all documents of the United Nations and on
nameplates to be used in United Nations meetings. Mr. Abbas is now addressed as the President of
the State of Palestine, Mr. Fayyad as the Prime Minister of the State of Palestine and Mr. Malki as the
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine.
B. Participation in work of the General Assembly and other organs of the United Nations, as well as
in United Nations conferences
4. The State of Palestine continues to enjoy the right of participation in the sessions and work of the
General Assembly and the international conferences convened under the auspices of the Assembly
or other organs of the United Nations, as well as in United Nations conferences, pursuant to
resolutions 43/160 and 52/250 and as set out in the note by the Secretary-General on 13
participation of Palestine in the work of the United Nations of 4 August 1998 (A/52/1002). Those
rights are not affected by resolution 67/19.
5. As a general matter, the State of Palestine does not enjoy the right to vote, including in elections.
Nor may the State of Palestine submit its own candidacy for any election or appointment or, submit
the names of candidates for any election or appointment, with one exception. Pursuant to the
Statute of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, non-member States
maintaining permanent observer missions at United Nations Headquarters have the right to submit
nominations for and to vote in the elections for the permanent and ad litem judges of the Residual
Mechanism.
6. Pursuant to Article 35, paragraph 2, of the Charter of the United Nations, the State of Palestine
may also place items on the provisional agenda of the Security Council and the General Assembly.
7. With respect to conferences convened under the auspices of the General Assembly and other
United Nations conferences, as a non-member observer State of the United Nations and a member
of UNESCO, the State of Palestine may participate fully and on an equal basis with other States in
conferences that are open to members of specialized agencies or that are open to all States.
Arrangements are being made to ensure the full participation of the State of Palestine in conferences
convened on that basis.
III. Middle East peace process
8. Following the adoption of resolution 67/19, I reiterated my position that the Palestinians have a
legitimate right to their own independent State and that Israel has the right to live in peace and
security with its neighbours. I also stressed that there was no substitute for negotiations to that end,

and the vote underscored the urgency of a resumption of meaningful talks. I thus appealed to all
concerned to act responsibly.
9. Both parties have repeated their commitment to the two-State solution. In his speech to the
General Assembly and in other statements he has made since, President Abbas proclaimed his
willingness to engage with Israel after the formation of a new Government following its
parliamentary elections of 22 January. Addressing the Security Council on 23 January 2013, the
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine reiterated the Palestinian commitment to peace
and the two-State solution and observed that the overwhelming support for resolution 67/19 clearly
demonstrated the international communitys commitment, including that of the Arab and Muslim
world, to the two-State solution. While sharply criticizing settlement activity of Israel, the Minister
for Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the need to establish clear parameters and a time frame for peace. At
the same meeting, an overwhelming majority of Member States urged a credible return to peace
negotiations, and many highlighted the historic nature of the 29 November vote of the General
Assembly.
10. The Prime Minister of Israel reiterated his commitment to peace and a two-State solution in press
conferences held on 5 December 2012 and 19 February 2013. However, on 29 November 2012 in the
Assembly and on 23 January 2013 in the Security Council open debate on the situation in the Middle
East, the Permanent Representative of Israel stated the position of Israel that in their view General
Assembly resolution 67/19 could not serve as acceptable terms of reference for future peace
negotiations and that it did not confer Palestinian statehood or constitute recognition of a
Palestinian State. The Permanent Representative of Israel also objected to any attempt to alter the
status of Palestinians, outside the agreed negotiating framework. At the same meetings, the United
States of America and Canada echoed these positions.
11. In spite of reiterated calls for negotiated peace, actions on the ground have further undermined
mutual trust. Following the adoption of the resolution, the Government of Israel announced plans for
construction of thousands of housing units in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and,
most alarmingly, several thousand housing units in the E-1 area east of Jerusalem. In statements on
2 December 2012 and 14 January 2013, I expressed my grave concern at this development, which
risked cutting off East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank and, if constructed, would represent
an almost fatal blow to remaining chances of securing a two-State solution, and called for any
settlement plan in the E-1 area to be rescinded. Overall, approximately 11,500 housing units of Israeli
settlements have been advanced or approved since 29 November 2012, including approximately
3,500 in the E-1 area, 5,000 in East Jerusalem, and the rest in various other West Bank settlements. I
have repeatedly stressed that all settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory, including
East Jerusalem, is illegal under international law.
12. The Government of Israel also initially withheld approximately $115 million of Palestinian
customs revenue collected in December and January. The funds for December were released to the
Palestinian Authority in January in line with the obligation that Israel accepted as part of the 1994
Paris Protocol, which remains in force. The funds for January are expected to be transferred at the
end of February.

13. The backdrop to these events has been a worsening security situation in the West Bank and a
tenuous calm in Gaza following the truce announced on 21 November 2012 after an intensive
diplomatic effort, including my own visit to the region.
14. In the West Bank, Israeli security forces, citing security concerns, conducted 969 operations and
made 1,101 arrests from 29 November 2012 to 26 February 2013. A total of 7 Palestinians were killed
and 1,065 were injured. Confrontations between Palestinians and Israeli settlers have occurred on an
almost daily basis. Occupation measures have continued to impede Palestinian movement, while
demolitions in Area C have intensified, leading to further displacements. In a worrying development,
on 23 February 2013, a Palestinian man died in detention after his arrest by the Israeli Defense
Forces days earlier in the West Bank. His death sparked a series of popular demonstrations and
clashes with the Israeli Defense Forces. Earlier popular demonstrations in solidarity with prisoners
on hunger strike had resulted in clashes with Israeli security forces. Hundreds of Palestinians were
injured as a result, including by tear gas inhalation.
15. In Gaza, following the ceasefire understanding reached on 21 November 2012 under the auspices
of Egypt, the calm largely held, but there was a significant disruption on 26 February 2013, when a
rocket fired from Gaza landed on a street near the industrial area in the southern part of the city of
Ashkelon. In total, two rockets have been fired and eight Israeli incursions have taken place since the
ceasefire understanding was reached. Renewed shooting incidents have claimed the lives of two
Palestinian civilians, mostly while they were attempting to approach the border fence. Efforts to
consolidate the ceasefire have continued, in line with resolution 1860 (2009). The full
implementation of the resolution includes the important step of overcoming the Palestinian political
divide in ways that can advance the prospects for the realization of the twoState solution. In this
regard, Egypt continued to facilitate progress in the implementation of previous reconciliation
agreements among Palestinian factions. Elections are a central element of reconciliation, and the
Central Elections Commission undertook a registration process in February 2013 in the West Bank
and the Gaza Strip.
16. The Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal visited Gaza for the first time from 7 to 10 December 2012. In
a speech celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of Hamas he denied Israel any
legitimacy, stressing that the Palestinian State will come from resistance not negotiations, in a clear
rejection of a negotiated two-State solution. Those inflammatory statements prompted
condemnation by several members of the international community and the United Nations.
17. Since the adoption of the resolution, and as illustrated by the statements made during the open
debate on the situation in the Middle East held by the Security Council on 23 January 2013, regional
and international partners have voiced their alarm at the increasing risk the prolonged impasse in the
peace process and facts on the ground, in particular Israeli settlement activity, pose to the viability of
the two-State solution. Everyone has recognized the urgent need for action. At its meeting in Doha
on 9 December 2012, the League of Arab States expressed doubt about the international
architecture for the peace process and announced future consultations with the relevant players in
the international community. In conclusions adopted on 10 December 2012, the Foreign Affairs
Council of the European Union underlined the urgency of renewed, structured and substantial peace
efforts in 2013 and reaffirmed its position that clear parameters outlining the basis for negotiations
are key to a successful outcome. On 23 January 2013, the Permanent Representative of the United

States to the United Nations stated that the United States remained fully committed to direct
negotiations and continued to work vigorously towards that end.
18. Quartet envoys met in Brussels on 12 December 2012, and again on 10 January 2013 in Amman.
They discussed ways to help the parties to avoid escalation diplomatically and on the ground in the
short term, while also finding a way back to negotiations. I have also continued to engage with the
parties, as well as with key international and regional leaders, both in New York 16 and on the
margins of international conferences and events, in order to encourage concerted efforts to forge a
way forward.
19. The application for full United Nations membership remains pending before the Security Council.
IV. Support to Palestinian institutions and the right to self-determination
20. In spite of the fundamental challenges that remain, the Government of the State of Palestine
remains committed to the advancement of the State-building agenda on which it has made notable
progress in the past two years. This has been widely recognized by the international community, in
particular at the successive meetings of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for the Coordination of the
International Assistance to Palestinians in 2011 and 2012. Following the adoption by the General
Assembly of resolution 67/19 on 29 November 2012, President Abbas constituted a committee of
Palestinian officials to examine a range of issues relating to statehood. Civil society has also
contributed to the continued advancement, with womens groups convening an important
conference in December, which culminated in the presentation of a list of vital demands, including
the incorporation of a womens bill of rights in the constitution of the State of Palestine, ensuring
that legislation adheres to international standards with respect to discrimination against women and
implementing quotas for female participation in public institutions.
21. The United Nations has continued to provide support in the six areas that were highlighted in the
report entitled Palestinian State-building: a decisive period presented by the Office of the United
Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process to the meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison
Committee on 13 April 2011 (governance, rule of law and human rights; livelihoods and productive
sectors; education and culture; health; social protection; and infrastructure and water). In each of
these sectors, governmental functions were deemed sufficient for a functioning Government of a
State. The United Nations has continued to align its activities to the priorities of the Palestinian
National Plan and is currently developing its new United Nations Development Assistance Framework
for the period 2014-2016 in collaboration with Palestinian authorities.
22. The Palestinian fiscal situation represents a core challenge. The full, timely and predictable
transfer of Palestinian tax and customs revenues by Israel in accordance with the provisions of the
Paris Protocol on Economic Relations is essential in order for the Government of the State of
Palestine to be able to meet its financial obligations. Key among these is the payment of salaries to
civil servants, who have launched strikes in protest against non-payment. Prime Minister Fayyad
continues to call on Arab donors for contributions, emphasizing that there is unprecedented financial
distress and potential for negative consequences. Ultimately, privatesector-led economic growth will
enable the growth of a vibrant economy, which will benefit Palestinians and provide the tax base
necessary to end the cycles of fiscal crisis.

23. International contributions amounted to $600 million in support of the recurrent budget last
year, but further timely disbursement of assistance is essential. At its meeting in Doha on 9
December 2012, the League of Arab States voted to contribute $100 million per month in aid to the
Palestinian Authority as a financial safety net to compensate for lost revenue incurred after Israel
announced it would withhold clearance revenues. In January 2013, Saudi Arabia announced that it
would disburse a further $20 million per month and Prime Minister Fayyad and the SecretaryGeneral of the League of Arab States approached a select number of countries during the Arab
Economic and Social Development Summit, held in Riyadh on 21 January, to bridge the funding gap.
At its first meeting, held in Tokyo on 13 and 14 February 2013, the Conference on Cooperation
among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development discussed support for the State-building
efforts of Palestine.

4.Issues

Human Rights
The violations of human rights affect the socio-economic and humanitarian conditions of the
Palestinian civilian population. Therefore this topic agrees political issues especially where the rights
of the Palestinian people and to self-determination is denied.It is important to address this issue and
define what solutions to the problems can be.
It's also good to accordingly keep in mind- although it is not directly part of our topic-that
some of these violations cause refugee movement which further fuels tensions and problems in the
Middle East.
Occupation and the Fourth Geneva Convention
The main political human right violated in this conflict is the right to self-determination,which
is guranteed in the most important human rights treaty; article 1 ICCPR ( International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights).But,there is certain exception to the obligation to agree to the human right
of the ICCPR (article 4 ICCR) in time of public emergency in the boundaries of proportionality.The
human right to self-determination is especially protected by the Fourth Geneva Convention which

sets the boundaries of how far the right to self-determination can be cut in cases of public
emergency.The right to self-determination is also practicable to the Palestinian people,which was
confirmed by the GA in its resolutions 3236 (XXIX) from 1974,and lately in its resolution
A/RES/66/146 from 29 March 2012.
Gaza and the blockade
The special aspect of investigations of the Gaza Strip is that, in the past, because of difficult
cooperation between research missions and Israel,no official reports of the UN could rest upon
access to the occupied territories.Through the Arab Spring and the changes in the Egypt government
the access to Gaza from the Egypt side of the border has become possible for UN missions.The
strengthens their reports and gives a better and deeper insight to life in Gaza.
Although Israel withdrew its military forces from Gaza in 2005, there still exists the opinion that Israel
remains occupying power over Gaza.One of the hardest burdens for the people is the
blockade,implemented over 5 years ago.Its effectiveness for Israel's security is still highly
problematic.On the other hand the blockade together with strict restrictions on the import of vitally
important goods (i.e. food,medication,building supplies) has brought the private sector's economy to
a hesitance and has pushed many families under the poverty line.This substantial situation causes
high pressure on the physical and psychological condition of many people living in the Gaza Strip.The
lack of access for medical help increases the tension for Palestinians, especially for pregnant women
and children.Because of the ongoing violent conflict between Gaza and Israel there has been fatal
infrastructure devastation,which stresses the need of rebuilding and reconstracting buildings and
infrastructure which is also retarded by the strict import restrictions.
Overall,Israeli actions in Gaza causes several economic and movement restrictions which are seen as
a "collective punishment" against the people.They thereby have especially harsh effect on children.
On top of the blockade there have been military operations December 2008 till January 2009 led by
the Israelis seen as lacking reasoning.
Water and other fundamental resources in Gaza
The greatest problems for the citizens of the Gaza strip are the restrictions in the supply of
fundamental resources ,because of very strict restrictions.As a reaction, underground tunnels with
smuggling activities have been implemented,which still cannot cover the necessary supply of central
goods for the Palestinian people.This includes food and water supplies as well as the most of urgent
needed material to reconstruct buildings in Gaza decreasing through time as well as through the
conflict.

West Bank and the Barrier

Alongside the occupation,Israel's construction of a barrier, began in 2002 has reminded opposition in
the international community-culminating in the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice
(ICJ) 2004 stating that Israel cannot rely on a right of self-defence or on a state of necessity in order
to preclude the wrongfulness of the construction of the wall. The Court asserted that "the
construction of the wall, and its associated rgime, are contrary to international law.".Thereby the
enclosure of areas,by leading the course of the barrier fully around Palestinian settlements,or the
cutting off of settlements from their farming area or water resources has the most serious effect on
civil population.
Israeli settlements and settler's violence in the West Bank
One of the worst violations of Israel against international and humanitarian law is the
support and promotion of settler expansion in Palestinian territory and the therefore resulting
confiscation and extermination of Palestinian homes and the displacement of hundreds of
Palestinian people. Israel has established about 150 settlements and some 100 not officially
recognized "outposts" since 1967.These settlements often form "closed military zones".Some of this
actions can be qualified as a war crime.But one must be careful with this qualifications as the actions
of the Israeli people and that of the Israeli state have to be differentiated.
The settlements also have a huge destructive impact on the economy and the humanitarian
situation of the people living in the West Bank.The supply of fundamental resources is affected.The
settlements locate mainly in the farming lands of thte Jordan Valley* have had a great impact on the
poverty level.
--------------------------------------

Jordan Valley: the most fruitful lands and water resources of the West Bank

A problem closely linked to the expansion of settlements is the drastic increase of "settler violence"
in the recent years.But this violence doesn't only come from the settlers.
8 Israeli settlers were killed and 37 of them injured by Palestinians in 2011.This shows the growing
tensions rising from the problem of settlements
Arrests and detention
The situation of Palestinians kept by Israelis also raises concerns.Several human rights are involved
under this topic,for example the "security measures" prohibiting the family visits,the lack of access to
medical care and education,the comprehensive conditions and treatment-accusations reaching the
level of torture ,as well as the insstitution of an "administrative detention" in which very important
judicial rights are expelled.These conditions have an especially harsh impact on children and
women.The general legal status of Palestinian prisoners is questioned, as Israel doesn't apply any
legal regulations to the detention although some believe they would get specific protections of the
"prisoner of war" status.
Jerusalem

According to the UN Partition Plan of 1947 in its resolution 181(II) Jerusalem was supposed to be UN
governed as a capital to both independent states Israel and Palestine.In the meantime,this plan has
proved to be very difficult.Palestinian authorities view East Jerusalem as their capital city.On the
other hand Israel views the whole Jerusalem as its capital.Not showing any effort at all to share
Jerusalem as a capital with Palestine.The dislocation of citizens and children as a criminal punishment
is seen as a political instrument showing the intention to eventually creat an all-Israeli Jerusalem.As
Jerusalem is claimed for a capital state by both parties of the conflict and considering its high
religious value for the Islamic Palestininans as well as for the Jewish Israelis,the political dimension of
this issue shouldn't be underestimated.

5.Political dimension: Palestine-Israel peace


One of the main topics in the ongoing peace process is the recognition of Palestine as a
State.The General Assembly has affirmed its support for this countless times.
Currently Palestine is recognized as a state by 127 United Nations member states and is a
member to the Arab League,the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and since last year to the
UNESCO.Although the full membership in the UN doesn't necessarily meet the legal conditions of
being officially a state - as it's not essential or sufficient - it does have a practical implication and it is
difficult for another state to neglect its statehood.Palestine has started an initiative by applying for a
full UN membership on 23 September 2011, but these hopes have been decreased by the United
States which stated, they would veto a membership in the Security Council.
This June though there have been talks of " upgrading" the UN status from "non-state entity
with observer status" to "non-member state" by the General Assembly inspired by the status of
Vatican which has a similar relation with UN.Abbas then pronounced that Palestine would pursue
this step in his speech before the GA on 27 September 2012.This would allow Palestine to sign and
confirm certain international UN-treaties.
Israel has - unlawfully - ignored passed resolutions by the GA and the Security Council shows
how hard it is for the international community to take influence in this conflict.On the other
hand,Israel has a desire for security,which is often overlooked by the prejudiced group of the United
Nations Committees often mainly backing Palestinian interests.The only condemnation of Israeli
actions without a perspective on its fears and needs will further lock the conflict.To prevent the
tradition of non-compliance on Israel's part,it's significant that the international community work
together with Israel and therefore find a solution acceptable and benefical for both sides of the
conflict.A peaceful solution would be of interest the whole region and therefore to the international
community.

6.Questions to be discussed
1-How far do human rights violations prevent a peaceful political solution to the conflict in the
Middle East?
2-How can this issue be solved while being respectful of all sides of the conflict involved?
3-What measures can be expected to be taken by Israel?
4-How can a "non-member state" status of Palestine to the United Nations change the Arab-Israeli
conflict and how is it to be assessed?
5.How can Israel and Palestine compromise on the issue of Jerusalem?

7.Further reading

General Information

-http://www.hrw.org/middle-eastn-africa/israel-and-occupied-territories
-https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/middle-east-and-north-africa/israel-and-occupiedpalestinian-territories/
-Israel and the occupied territories, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
-http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2000/nea/794.htm#
-http://unispal.un.org/pdfs/optff.pdf

UN Reports

-Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory, including East Jerusalem - UN A/66/356
-The Special Committee Report: 'Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices
Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and other Arabs of the Occupied Territories' UN A/66/370
-UN E/RES/2012/23: Resolution adopted by the Economic and Social Council, Economic and social
repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,and the Arab population in the occupied
Syrian Golan (14 September 2012)
-UN A/RES/65/105: Resolution adopted by the General Assembly,Israeli practices affecting the
human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,including East Jerusalem
(20 January 2011)

Bibliography

http://www.un.org/en/62/plenary/palestine/bkg.shtml.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13701636
www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/131/1677.pdf.
http://chronicle.com/blogs/global/israeli-court-upholds-ban-on-gaza-students-studying-in*-thewest-bank/34856,24 September 2012
Gaza operation from an Israeli perspective: http://www.mfa.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/E89E699D-A435491B-B2D0-017675DAFEF7/0/GazaOperationwLinks.pdf
http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/index.shtml
http://www.un.org/en/ga/about/background.shtml
http://www.undemocracy.com/A-RES-47-233.pdf

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