onsdag den 14. oktober 2015

Israeli settlements violate international law and human rights

Armed soldiers. Armoured military vehicles. Sound bombs, tear gas grenades and rubber-coated steel bullets. Throwing stones and spitting. Harassment and detentions. Photos of everyday life as a volunteer in Palestine and of the life in the occupied Palestinian territory, which is declared a state of emergency by the Palestine Red Crescent Society following an escalation in violence by Israeli soldiers and settlers, including attacks on the society's staff and ambulances.


It's not often you experience being in a situation, where you feel both powerless and vulnerable at the same time. Situations where you witness injustice and inhumanity and only can observe without being able to intervene.

However, physical presence and observation can protect vulnerable groups from being harassed and help to raise awareness and encourage international organisations to take action regarding human rights violations through documenting what's happening on the ground.

This is the purpose of my work as a volunteer in Palestine, where the next three months will give me an insight into the importance of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for the people who experience it daily.

Since 1 October 2015, there has been a significant escalation of clashes and violent attacks in several Palestinian cities. Including in Gaza, East Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nablus, Ramallah, Tulkarem and Hebron.
Based in the biggest city of the West Bank, Hebron, a significant part of the work in my team is to provide protective presence for Palestinian school children on Shuhada street in the Israeli-controlled area of Hebron. This means being present and monitoring the children's access to school, which is important as they have to pass two military checkpoints and can be harassed by Israeli soldiers and settlers on their way. For example, children are regularly detained by Israeli soldiers for minor offences or not attending school because of fear of settler attacks.

Hebron, H2, CP55, schoolchildren passing Israeli soliders everyday on their way to school 

It struck me how it must be for the kids. It's impossible to imagine. A life where people are controlled and restricted from moving freely is both absurd and inhuman. And even more heartbreaking when it affects children and their schooling.

Conversely, it has surprised me how quickly I got used to the presence of armed soldiers everywhere and to be checked regularly in my work. How quickly I became normalised to the occupation and not being discouraged from tear gas, stone throwing and daily clashes.

It gives some insight into the living condition for Palestinians, who more or less must have become accustomed to the daily harassment, systematic control and to the heavy military presence after years of Israeli occupation.

Hebron, H2, Israeli soldier detaining five Palestinian boys

However, the Israeli settlements violate international law and human rights, as they limit the freedom of movement of Palestinian civilians and lead to settler violence. Here, physical barriers such as checkpoints, closed military zones and restricted access to areas, violate the Palestinians' right to freedom of movement, including acces to schools, hospitals, work and religious sites.

It's hard to witness. And even harder for Palestinians as victims. On the other hand, the need of being here becomes more important, as the presence of international observers, based on previous experience, may provide protection and security for vulnerable groups, including children on their way to school.

DIGNITY IN LIFE




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