General Debate Under Item: 7 - Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories

Thank you Mr. President,

This is a joint statement submitted by EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ). I speak to you today in my capacity as the representative of the Dawabsheh family, from the village of Doma in Palestine.

On the evening of 31st July 2015, the eighteen-month old infant Ali and his five year old brother Ahmed, were sleeping in peace when Israeli armed men had entered and threw a ‘Molotov cocktail’ explosion in their bedroom- the perpetrator had been part of an Israeli terrorist organization called ‘Tag-mehir’ comprised of aggressive colonizers. While this had been taking place, the parents had tried hard to save their children, but the room had immediately caught fire that was too spread out and intense for them to re-enter the scene. As a result, the body of the child was viciously burned not leaving much of what was left of him to save, causing his instant death after much torture. Whereas, his brother Ahmed had been severely injured with 60% of his body covered in burns. This child, who dreamed of living with his family like all the other4 children of the world in peace and security, became a dream that death would take him to meet again with his brother Ali whom he had cherished dearly.

Honourable Council,

This brutal crime shows the extent to which the violence of settlers in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in the absence of responsibility and accountability for human rights violations as such. The need for accountability and redress for those who have suffered as victims of these violations is paramount, for it is because of these criminal acts that incitement to hatred and violence from political and religious leaders is fueled.

Mr. President, distinguished delegates of the international community,
We want our people to live in security, dignity and the peoples of the world. We strongly urge the council to take effective and urgent steps and call upon the international community to support the appraisal to stop the Israeli illegal settlements and ensure the safety and security of the Palestinian people and children.