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 Resisting Occupation, Constructing Peace - ICAHD Monthly Newsletter / September 2012
 

 
In the Name of Justice: ICAHD Raises Key Issues Around a Single State as a Step Towards Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

By Jeff Halper and Itay Epshtain



Over the past 15 years, ICAHD has actively resisted the Israeli Occupation. For almost that long we have argued that the two-state solution is dead and gone, based on our intimate knowledge both of Israeli politics and the massive “facts” that Israel has imposed on the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), and constantly expands. However, ICAHD has refrained from advocating for any particular solution to the conflict, believing that is the Palestinians’ prerogative. We do not rule out the two-state solution in principle (although it is not fair or just), especially if the Palestinians nevertheless decide to go that way. ICAHD supports any solution – be it two-state, one-state or regional – which offers a just and inclusive peace and is acceptable to our Palestinian partners. In fact, because a workable resolution of the conflict must involve the entire region, we have long proposed a Middle East economic confederation including, at a minimum, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. From that perspective, the creation of a single state in Palestine/Israel may represent only a stage, albeit an unavoidable stage, towards a more comprehensive solution.
 
But with the two-state solution gone, apartheid unacceptable and a Middle Eastern economic confederation a distant vision, it seems time to seriously consider the only alternative available to us at this time: the creation of a single state between the Mediterranean and the Jordan River. To be sure, the idea has been raised before, but it remains ambiguous. There are fundamental variations and disagreements even among one-state proponents themselves. Political clarity is vital, especially if such a solution is – or is not – inclusive of Israelis. Indeed, does post-apartheid South Africa inspire our joint aspirations or is Algeria the model, whereby the Israeli “colonists” (if they are that) leave or are driven out when Palestine is liberated? If the state is to be inclusive, should it be a unitary democratic state, a bi-national one or a combination? Will the solution be one defined purely by politics, or will the rights and obligations of all parties be guided indeed by international law and human rights treaties?
 
What follows is ICAHD’s attempt to exploit the current political paralysis to kindle a searching and honest discussion over where we are headed – and, as civil society actors, how we can effectively get there.

Click here to read... 

Human Rights Committee Releases List of Issues for Israel, Adopts ICAHD Concerns
Published earlier this week (September 15 2012), the United Nations Human Rights Committee (HRC) posed 26 questions to Israel regarding its compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Israel is party.
 
ICAHD submitted a report to HRC on Israel’s non-compliance with the convention in order to call the expert members of the Committee attention to Israel's illegal policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) subsequent to prolonged occupation. The HRC has adopted numerous issues highlighted by ICAHD, including the following:
  • “[…] developments aimed at ensuring the full application of the Covenant in Israel, as well as in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and in the Occupied Syrian Golan.
  • “Provide updated information on measures taken: To cease the practice of […] demolition of houses and private property; To review the State party’s housing policy and the issuance of construction permits, to ensure that municipal planning systems are not discriminatory and to increase the legal construction of houses for minorities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem; To ensure the Bedouin’s and Palestinians’ access to health services, education, adequate housing, water and sanitation.”
  • “Provide information on access by all residents of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Occupied Syrian Golan to natural resources, such as agricultural land and adequate water supplies.”
  • “Recalling the 2004 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, please indicate which measures have been taken to refrain from constructing settlements in, or transferring its population to, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, […] and to prevent and eradicate all practices of segregation which affect the Palestinian population.”

ICAHD calls on Israel to provide a detailed response to the questions posed by HRC and to fully comply with its international human rights obligations. ICAHD further recalls the International Court of Justice 2004 Advisory Opinion in relation to “Article 1 common to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights reaffirms the right of all peoples to self-determination, and lays upon the States parties the obligation to promote the realization of that right and to respect it, in conformity with the provisions of the United Nations Charter. […] Israel is bound to comply with its obligation to respect the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and its obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The Court would observe that the obligations violated by Israel include certain obligations erga omnes. […] The obligations erga omnes violated by Israel are the obligation to respect the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and certain of its obligations under international humanitarian law."

 

ICAHD’s In-depth Study Tours – Autumn 2012
   
Our alternative tours program includes in-depth study tours which go beyond the traditional tourist sites as the political realities that affect Palestinians and Israelis are explored. Participants witness the situation on both sides of the divide and travel to different geographical areas. Unique opportunities are provided to meet ICAHD staff and other key leaders to gain first-hand, in-depth knowledge and some of the latest analysis. Participants also meet extensively with Palestinians to hear their stories. 

The next study tours will take place in November 2012. An eleven-day tour will look at the general situation. Participants will meet with around twenty organisations as we learn about a wide range of subjects including house demolitions, displacement, education under occupation, refugees, water disparity, lack of freedom of movement, and women’s issues. Price: £840 or $1260.
 
A shorter tour of seven days will have international law as its focus. During it we will examine the success and failure of international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The tour is suitable for those with a legal background, and others interested in reflections on international law and its application in the OPT. Price: £720 or $1080. 



Cost per person includes the full tour programme and staying at good three star hotels at half board (bed, breakfast and evening meal), sharing a twin-bedded room with ensuite facilities, tour leader, guides and tips inclusive. Not included are: flights, lunches, travel insurance. Preparation for the tour and follow-up provided. 
                
“This tour is transformational. It is essential for those who wish to gain a deep and authentic understanding of what is actually happening in the Palestinian Occupied Territories and to act as ambassadors for developing real peace and justice in this region. It is also an opportunity to witness individuals demonstrate outstanding resilience and courage in the face of extreme constraints and harshness. I cannot recommend this tour enough.” Dr. P de Zulueta, London, Nov 2011

For more information please contact tours@icahduk.org

The Halper Road-Show Resumes: ICAHD Director Dr. Jeff Halper to Visit the US

After a hiatus of a few months, Dr. Jeff Halper, ICAHD’s Director, is going back on the road for a month-long speaking tour in the US. Dr. Halper, who is also responsible for ICAHD’s international advocacy, especially among civil society groups and organizations, will be speaking across the US, before going on to meet some of ICAHD’s partners in Paris.   

Portland Sept 20 – Sept 23, Phoenix Sept 23 – Sept 26, Albuquerque Sept 26 – Sept 30, New YorkOct 1 – Oct 8, Boston Oct 9 – Oct 12, Philadelphia Oct 12 – Oct 14

More information to follow... 

Epshtain to Speak at ICAHD UK Autumn Conference
 
Join ICAHD UK at the Autumn Conference on Saturday 13th October and welcome Itay Epshtain, ICAHD Co-Director, to the UK and get to know him. Failing this, there is an opportunity to hear him speak at a public meeting arranged by Amnesty International.
              
Itay has been with ICAHD for the last eighteen months and spearheads ICAHD's strategic human rights litigation efforts, and serves as a point of contact to governments, intergovernmental organizations, and international non-governmental organizations. He is ICAHD’s representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva has appeared before numerous UN bodies, advocating for human rights, justice and peace. Prior to joining ICAHD he served as the Executive Director of Amnesty International Israel Section. Itay is a graduate of the Kennedy School of Government Harvard University, and holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in International Environmental Law.
 
ICAHD UK Autumn Conference is open to all and is being held in Leeds on Saturday 13th October. There will be an additional opportunity to hear Itay when he is hosted by Amnesty International at New Inn Yard, London, at 7pm on Tuesday 16th October. More information avilable here...

Support ICAHD This Fall

Dear Friend of ICAHD,

Allow us to again thank you for your generous support of ICAHD. Your donation helped support the vital work of ICAHD in resisting the Occupation, supporting Palestinian communities in rebuilding their demolished homes, and advocating for justice and peace.

We can’t stress enough just how important your donation was, and we turn to you hoping you will be able to support us further as we prepare to take our message to the US, France, Poland, UK, Norway and the United Nations General Assembly this fall. You can learn more on our newly revamped website at www.icahd.org

We do hope you can give your support and solidarity. Please make online donations by clicking the donate button below, or on the ICAHD website.

Thank you for standing with us, and for your continued support.

Yours in friendship, Jeff and Itay



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