General Debate under Item 7

Item 7: Human Rights Situation in Palestine and Other Occupied Arab Territories

24 September 2018

Statement by: International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (EAFORD) and Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ)

Thank you Mr. President,

Palestinians have paid an incredibly heavy price due to Israel’s ongoing occupation and racist policies instilled against them only because they are Palestinians.

Despite all resolutions taken by the UN bodies over the 70 past years regarding the Palestinians rights; Israel continues to expand its illegal settlements and besieges Gaza Strip and deals with Palestinians living under its jurisdiction as third-class citizens.

A particular attention should be given to the recent intent of demolition of the village Khan al Ahmar that will result in the forced relocation of its 188 citizens, half of them being children. These violations are considered to be war crimes under international law. The Palestinian lands are already fragmented and by destroying small Palestinian areas like this village, the northern West Bank will be cut off from its southern part.

The Israeli demolitions policy have already started in other villages like Al Walaja. This will further the illegal expansion of Israeli over the detriment of Palestinian people.

Mr. President,

EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice call on this Council to put an end to all these violations, we call upon concerned bodies to put an end to the Israeli occupation to Palestine.,

Thank you.