‘The State of Palestine’ – two briefing documents from the IPSC

In September the Palestinian Authority will ask the UN to recognise the State of Palestine within the borders of the 1949 ceasefire lines. This request is an attempt to mobilise the legitimacy of the international community to bring to an end the occupation of the Palestinian Territories and the associated violations of the human, political and democratic rights of the Palestinian people.

The two briefing papers below survey the ‘state’ of Palestine today, from both political and human rights perspectives. The papers outline the effect, and highlight the widespread, enduring and systematic nature of violations of Palestinian rights, and make recommendations for the Irish Government and the European Union follow in order to secure a just and lasting peace in Palestine/Israel.

1. Towards A Just Peace: How Ireland and the EU can help to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Recent events – in particular the failure of talks between Israeli and Palestinian representatives brokered by Washington, and the effort by the Palestinian Authority to seek recognition of a Palestinian state on the territories occupied by Israel since 1967 – have brought fresh attention to the need for Palestinian self-determination. The continuing denial of that right will inevitably lead to further violence and instability in the Middle East. This paper will discuss how the Palestinian right to self-determination might be vindicated in practice and the obstacles that stand in its way. It will also discuss the proposed Palestinian Authority plan to declare Palestinian statehood later this year, and argue that whatever the outcome of any vote on this at the United Nations, international pressure should be applied to Israel, to ensure Palestinians are granted their full human, national and democratic rights. Finally it will lay out the practical steps that can be taken by Ireland and the European Union to bring such pressure to bear. It is imperative that the Irish Government plays a leading role in pressing for action by the EU.

PDF – Towards A Just Peace: How Ireland and the EU can help to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (Daniel Finn, May 2010)

2. The ‘State’ of Palestine: A survey of the main Human Rights Issues affecting Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

In September the Palestinian Authority will ask the UN to recognise the State of Palestine within the borders of the 1949 ceasefire lines. This request is an attempt to mobilise the legitimacy of the international community to bring to an end the occupation of the Palestinian Territories and its associated human rights violations. This paper outlines the effect of these violations and highlights their widespread, enduring and systematic nature.

PDF – The ‘State’ of Palestine: A survey of the main Human Rights Issues affecting Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (Richard Irvine, May 2010)

Posted August 3, 2011 in BDS, Boycott, Campaigns, Divestment, EU, Human Rights, National Rights, Political Rights, Sanctions, Statements, Uncategorized.