1_March 2019, Ramallah – On the occasion of the International Women’s Day (8 March), a week-long joint campaign “My Rights, Our Power” was launched today in Palestine to raise awareness on women’s fundamental human rights. The joint effort, with participation from over 30 national and international partners from civil society organizations, media outlets, and international development agencies, targets youth, women, and men in various geographic areas in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza to promote women’s human rights in Palestine.

The campaign comes at a crucial moment when the anticipated adoption of the Family Protection Bill is at a standstill, raising concerns among national and international stakeholders about the consequences of such delay on safeguarding women’s fundamental human rights in Palestine. According to the Palestine report of the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES), nearly one in five Palestinian men (17 percent) surveyed said they had perpetrated act of physical intimate partner violence against female partners, while 21 per cent of women surveyed reported having experienced such violence.

“Family violence, usually committed by a family member who has social or economic power over others in the family, causes enormous pain and suffering to all members of the family, especially the women and children,” said a spokesperson from civil society, which has vigorously initiated the development of the Family Protection Bill (FPB), and has strongly pushed its adoption since 2004.

“The violation of women’s human rights manifests in various levels and should be also understood from economic, cultural, and social aspects,” the spokesperson added, highlighting the lack of opportunities and freedom of choice, as well as limited access to justice and services that women in Palestine still experience.

The joint campaign aims to raise awareness of the general public, especially youth, women, and men on women’s fundamental rights in line with international standards and embedded in the Family Protection Bill draft endorsed by the previous Cabinet at the end of December 2018. Five key messages, addressing women’s right to a life free of violence, right to achieve justice and seek help in case of violation of such life, as well as the right to equal opportunities and right to make one’s own choices, will be distributed through various channels such as radio, social media, helpline (121), outreach activities, and on-site events. The closing event of the joint campaign will take place on 8 March in Jerusalem and will celebrate women’s achievements using TED-style talks, followed by art performances.

“My Rights, Our Power” joint campaign is part of the global International Women’s Day 2019 campaign under the theme of “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”. The theme focuses on innovative ways in which we can advance gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly in the areas of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure, echoing the theme of the 63rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 63) taking place in New York on 11-22 March 2019.

The participating organizations of the “My Rights, Our Power” are (in alphabetical order): 17 Palestinian women’s organizations represented by Al-Muntada (coalition), British Consulate-General, Business Women Forum, CARE International, Consulate General of Sweden, Consulate General of Belgium, EUPOL COPPS, EU Representative Office, FAO, General Union of Palestinian Women, Government of Japan, CowaterSogema/GROW Project, International Labour Organization, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, Ma’an TV, MIFTAH, Netherlands Representative Office, Nisaa FM, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development, Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association, Representative Office of Canada, Representative Office of Denmark, SAWA, Sawasya II, Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, Sports for Life, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Representative Office of Norway, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNOPS, UN Women, Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counseling, Women’s Studies Center.

For more information, please contact Eunjin Jeong at UN Women via eunjin.jeong@unwomen.org or 059 2321 308, Majd Beltaji at UNESCO via m.beltaji@unesco.org or 059 4501 506.

Mr. President,

We thank France for organizing this important meeting and extend our appreciation to the Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary General, the Executive Director of UN Women, the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security and the Secretary-General of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie for their efforts and important briefings.

The issue before us is of relevance not only for half the planet, but to all, given the role and contribution of women in the fields of peace and security and the untapped potential that could be unleashed by mainstreaming their participation. Since the adoption by consensus of resolution 1325 by this Council, a lot has happened, and yet we are still far from the goal of full and equal participation, including in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building, and from ensuring the protection and empowerment of women. Gender equality and non-discrimination remain prerequisites for the fulfilment of the purposes and principles of this organization and all of our lofty, collective commitments, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The State of Palestine welcomes the Secretary General’s report and his commitment to implementing the women and peace and security agenda, including by placing gender at the centre of his prevention platform and surge in diplomacy. We appreciate all efforts by the UN in this regard, including by UN Women, OHCHR and UNDP, notably in the field of human rights, capacity building, employment and rule of law. We urge UN bodies, notably those operating in Palestine, including the Special Representative, to intensify their engagement and collaboration with women organizations.

Mr. President,

I wish to highlight some of Palestine’s own important efforts in this regard. The Palestinian women’s movement is one of the oldest and strongest in the region and beyond, with institutional and representative structures established as early as the 19th century. Within the PLO, the General Union of Palestinian Women was among the first unions to be established. A coordination of women frameworks within PLO political parties and other organizations has also been established as the “Women’s Affairs Technical Committee” in the aftermath of the 1991 Madrid Peace Conference.

There have been many achievements thereafter. Among them: In 2012, Palestine inaugurated a High-Level National Committee for the implementation of resolution 1325, led by the Ministry of Women Affairs in partnership with relevant Ministries and NGOs. In 2016, the State of Palestine was among the 68 countries and areas that adopted a National Action Plan on women, peace and security.

This Action Plan (2017-2019), adopted by both the Government and civil society organizations, identifies three primary objectives: 1. ensuring protection for women and girls both domestically and in the face of the Israeli occupation; 2. ensuring accountability through national and international mechanisms, with a particular focus on crimes and violations committed by the occupation; and 3. furthering women’s political participation in decision making at the national and international level. The State of Palestine also joined core IHL and human rights instruments, including CEDAW, without reservations. Women’s participation and empowerment are also important and cross-cutting objectives in the context of the National Policy Agenda (2017-2022).

We are, however, conscious that, despite all these efforts, much more work remains to be done. Only in 2009 was a women elected to the highest executive body of the PLO. Quotas are still decisive in allowing women’s election to Parliament and local councils. And while women organizations were among the strongest advocates of national reconciliation, they have been unfairly absent from reconciliation talks. The relevant legislative framework applicable in Palestine is also outdated and must be revised to ensure consistency with Palestine’s international commitments and obligations and avail women the protection and rights they are entitled to and the opportunities they deserve.

Mr. President,

The Palestinian women’s movement since its establishment over a century ago pursued the struggle on two fronts – the struggle for the independence of Palestine and the struggle for women’s rights and empowerment – a dual struggle the movement continues to pursue to this day. The Israeli occupation remains the main source of the violations of our women’s rights and their vulnerability and violence against their person. We have repeatedly called for protection of the Palestinian people, especially women and children. We have also called for accountability, a key element of resolution 1325, the first resolution to address the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women, as the only way to put an end to violations and crimes.

While Palestine stands ready to do its part to advance women rights and the role of women in the fields of peace and security, it is clear that the enjoyment of these rights in our country necessitates ending the Israeli occupation. We will thus continue to work for an end of the occupation and true progress on the path to independence, justice and peace, with the equal and full involvement of women, leading to an independent State of Palestine ensuring human rights for all its citizens without discrimination.

On the occasion of the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to Palestine, the Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325, which consists of twelve different Palestinian women’s organisations, is urging the Prosecutor’s Office to take concrete actions towards investigating war crimes committed against Palestinians. The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom remains deeply concerned with the complete impunity of Israeli war crimes and firmly supports the Coalition’s call for a just accountability mechanism for Palestinian victims. WILPF also calls on the international community to recognise and fully support Palestinian women’s organisations substantial role in paving the paths to justice, accountability and peace. Read the statement of the Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325 below.

We, the Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325,welcome the visit of the delegation of the ICC Prosecutor’s Office as a step in the right direction. But we are deeply disappointed that the purpose of this visit was restricted to preliminary examination, while Palestinian victims of Israeli war crimes, including women, continue to suffer and urgently await justice and an end to Israel impunity.

We do not understand the decision to exclude the Gaza Strip from this visit, when Gaza has been the site of the most war crimes and where women have been most systematically impacted by Israeli collective punishment policies; a prolonged imposed siege and a severe humanitarian deterioration resulting from Israeli military aggressions .

We are further disappointed that women who have been systematically impacted, and their women’s organisations, have been excluded from the delegation’s agenda.

We call upon all future delegations of the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to include on their agenda meetings with women’s organisations and women who have experienced direct and indirect impacts of Israeli crimes.

We, the Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325, have seen in UNSCR 1325, 2242, and other UN Resolutions a commitment to hold the Israeli perpetrators accountable for their war crimes.

We look to the ICC as the most important mechanism to end impunity for all war crimes committed, finally bringing justice for the Palestinian people. Yet, we are very concerned that the preliminary examinations will be an endless process.

Therefore, we urge, Ms. Fatou Bensouda, the Prosecutor of the ICC, to conclude the preliminary examination and move to investigations into Israeli war crimes, bringing justice to Palestinians.

We have paid the price of non-accountability and impunity of Israeli war crimes for too long. “Delaying justice is justice denied.”

Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325: The General Union of Palestinian Women (GUPW), the Women’s Affairs Technical Committee (WATC), Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development (PWWSD), MIFTAH, Filastinyat, Women Media and Development (TAM), Women Stu Dies Center, Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counseling (WACLAC), the National, YWCA of Palestine, Center for Women’s Legal Research and Consulting (CWLRC), the Culture and Free thought Association(CWLRC) and Women’s Affairs Center (GWAC).

Occupied Palestine

October 11, 2016

The Program of the 13th Government is founded on the belief that hard work, coupled with faith in our ability to create new realities on the ground, will clear our path to freedom. Through our strength of will and building on the foundations of our achievements we can end the occupation and establish the independent and sovereign State of Palestine – a State in which all citizens will enjoy freedom, justice and equality in a democratic political system based on the principles of pluralism, separation of powers, peaceful transfer of power and respect for human rights.

In August 2009, the Government published its program to end the occupation and establish the State of Palestine on the June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Inspired by the Palestinian national movement and the sacrifices of Palestinian men and women, the Government is working to help realize the collective and individual aspiration of the Palestinian people to live in freedom, dignity and independence. On the path to freedom, as we strive to make Palestine a reality, the Declaration of Independence is our compass, and we are bound by the Basic Law, the resolutions of the Palestinian National Council, and the political platform and commitments of the Palestine Liberation Organization.

The Government program therefore complements the PLO’s endeavors at the regional and international levels. It aims to complete the process of institution-building throughout the homeland and support peaceful popular resistance against the occupation. The effort to consolidate state institutions, founded on the principles of integrity, transparency, separation of powers and provision of safety and security to citizens, thereby preserving the national interest and safeguarding the rule of law, cannot wait until the occupation ends. Indeed, we need stronger institutions both to expedite the end of the occupation and to secure the long-term future of a unified and democratic State of Palestine.

Inspired by the conviction that destiny must yield to the will of the people, the Government recognizes it requires the endorsement and support of the Palestinian people. Each and every citizen, man and woman, young and old, will continue to play a part in building a free Palestine. The Government will continue to support citizens’ steadfastness and perseverance on their homeland by working to improve their quality of life, responding proactively to their social and economic needs. This commitment applies to the entire homeland on the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, without distinction on the grounds of the untenable divisions between the so-called ‘Area A’, ‘Area B’ and ‘Area C’. This is a single political and geographic entity and the sovereign territory of the State of Palestine.

The Government will continue its work to promote the unification of the homeland and eliminate the phenomenon of political, economic and social fragmentation that undermines the national interest. The Government also reaffirms its determination to work constructively towards bringing an end to the siege imposed on Gaza. The Government does not, and will not, discriminate between any part of the homeland in working to ensure that citizens are empowered to remain steadfast in upholding their rights, wherever they reside. In particular, the Government will redouble its effort to respond to essential and pressing needs in East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.

Achievements in the first year of the Government program

As we enter the second year of the Government program, there have already been many achievements. Development programs and projects are being implemented, bringing tangible improvements to the daily lives of citizens and real hope for a better future. These improvements are, however, mostly confined to areas of the West Bank. We are committed to ensuring that citizens in Gaza and East Jerusalem are able to enjoy the benefits of economic and social development and this will be a high priority as we move forward over the coming year.

Over the last 12 months, Government institutions have been renewed with a spirit of responsibility and commitment to good governance. Transparency of, and accountability for, public expenditure have increased, and we are making progress towards reducing reliance on external aid. We have also continued to restructure and reorganize government institutions to increase their efficiency and effectiveness in performing their assigned duties.

• Substantial progress in upgrading public infrastructure: we are constructing and renovating educational institutions, health care establishments, roads, water and electricity networks, and facilities to collect and process wastewater and solid waste.
• Increased public safety and security: we have worked to consolidate the rule of law and foster a more law-abiding culture by strengthening justice and security sector services, and through a range of public outreach activities.
• Improved access to justice: we have worked together with the High Judicial Council to enhance the operation of the courts system, and the public prosecution service has been strengthened, resulting in a significant improvement in the timeliness of court case adjudication.
• Strengthening of the national economy: a national campaign has been launched to put an end to the sale of Israeli settlement products, and industrial estates are being constructed and rehabilitated.
• Better social services: a greater proportion of the national budget has been allocated to the provision of education, health and social protection services. The social safety net has been rationalized to ensure that it addresses the needs of the poor and vulnerable.

These achievements are being made in closer partnership with citizens and their communities. As part of the Government’s endeavor to empower citizens throughout the Palestinian territory and bring real improvements to their quality of life, more than 1,000 community-based projects have been implemented to support locally-driven development initiatives. Furthermore, strenuous efforts have been made to support citizens’ continued perseverance in East Jerusalem and empower them in the face of Israeli settlement activity, home demolitions and evictions.

The second year of the Government program

Despite these successes, we cannot rest: much work remains to be done in the second year of the Government program to build on the achievements of the first. The Government will spare no effort in strengthening the institutional framework of the State of Palestine in order to better serve the national interest. We will continue to work in all sectors to improve institutional performance, public service delivery, quality of life and economic prosperity.

As we move forward, we are seeking to establish a model of good governance which will earn the trust and confidence of citizens and ensure that all society works together to build Palestine. The legitimacy of Government depends on its capacity to deliver equitable social and economic development to the people and equal opportunities for all. In turn, ensuring equity and equality depends on the Government’s ability to provide a safe and secure environment for all and, as such, the Government reaffirms its full commitment to bear its responsibilities in the area of public safety and security, whilst respecting citizens’ rights, including the right to privacy and freedom of expression.

• We will support the strengthening of the justice system by assisting the development of human resources and the establishment of specialized courts.
• We will build a penal system that unfailingly respects human rights and transforms prisons into centers for the correction, rehabilitation and reintegration into society of offenders.
• We will upgrade the capacity of law enforcement agencies to fulfill their responsibilities under the law whilst respecting and safeguarding citizens’ rights.
• We will actively encourage civil society organizations to monitor and publicly report on the performance of public institutions in relation to human rights.

The Government takes seriously its responsibility to continuously improve the performance, transparency and accountability of the public sector through reforms aimed at tackling waste, inefficiency and corrupt practices.

• We will implement administrative reforms to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the public sector, as well as to eliminate favoritism and nepotism. We will work to reform laws, regulations and codes governing civil service employment, salaries and pensions.
• We will implement a package of initiatives to eliminate bureaucratic inefficiency and delays in the provision of services in relation to the administration of civil and commercial affairs, including land registration and commerce and trade certification.
• We will fortify efforts to tackle corruption and adhere to relevant international conventions by strengthening investigation and enforcement bodies, and encouraging greater civil society engagement in the fight against corruption.

The coming year will also witness a deepening of the Government’s efforts to improve the range and quality of basic services for citizens of all ages.

• We will proceed with modernization of the education system, in line with a strategic national vision to prepare future generations with the knowledge, expertise and skills to drive progress and prosperity in Palestine.
• We will extend health insurance coverage and promote quality improvements in health care services, including greater specialization such that Palestinians can receive treatment for all ailments in their home country.
• We will promote arts and culture in Palestine, encouraging individual creativity and innovation as well as collective engagement in cultural activity and pursuits.
• We will develop better infrastructure, equipment and programs to enable our youth to participate in organized social and sporting activities.
• We will continue to pursue policies that empower women in Palestine and ensure their full contribution to the endeavor to build the state. We take seriously our obligation to promote gender equality in all aspects of public and private life, and we encourage civil society organizations to continue to hold government accountable on gender equality issues.

Our work to enable private sector growth, including an extensive program of legal, regulatory and administrative reform, will continue as part of the effort to achieve greater economic self-reliance.

• We will focus on initiatives to promote growth and exports in the agriculture and tourism sectors, whilst engaging in longer-term efforts to build the productive base of the national economy in strategic industrial and service sectors.
• We will work to build closer ties with international trade bodies, markets and businesses in order to increase exports and strengthen Palestinian businesses.
• We will continue to explore and take advantage of opportunities for partnership between the public and private sectors, whilst protecting national resources and citizens from exploitative practices. The Anti-Corruption Agency, consumer protection associations and professional unions will all play a vital role in safeguarding the national interest.

Valuing most highly their support in implementing its program, the Government calls upon all citizens to engage in and support this effort to end the occupation and establish the State of Palestine. In the second and final year of the program, a concerted effort from all sectors of our society is needed to complete the translation of this vision into reality. In addition, we are determined to continue to support the Palestine Liberation Organization’s effort to consolidate official and popular Arab and international backing for the endeavor to establish the State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in which our people can live in freedom and in dignity on the entire territory occupied since 1967.

In submitting this document, the Government hopes to demonstrate its absolute commitment to completing the journey towards ending the occupation and establishing the state. We also aim to convey our sincere belief that the people of Palestine, men and women, young and old, are the main source of inspiration and strength on the path to our freedom. Our human capital is our most precious resource as we move forward to establish the State of Palestine. The Palestinian people have battled for survival on their homeland for many decades in the face of sustained attempts to crush their sense of national identity and destroy the very fabric of their society. In remaining steadfast in their determination, the Palestinian people have confounded the expectations of those who have bet on their failure to persevere in the face of adversity: our spirit has not been broken and we will never succumb to defeatism.

We must preserve our self-assuredness and confidence in our capacity to realize the vision of the Government program. Our work and our faith in ourselves, and our aspiration for a better future, are the keys to success in securing our freedom and independence on our homeland. Building on the achievements of the previous year, and energized by both the faith that we will succeed, and inspired by an unyielding will to achieve success, the Government hereby confirms its determination to meet the commitments presented in this document during the second and final year of its program.

Salam Fayyad
Prime Minister

To View the Full Report as PDF (440 KB)

Foreword

This document presents the program of the 13th government of the Palestinian National Authority. The program, which sets out our national goals and government policies, centers around the objective of building strong state institutions capable of providing, equitably and effectively, for the needs of our citizens, despite the occupation. We believe that full commitment to this state-building endeavor will advance our highest national priority of ending the occupation, thereby enabling us to live in freedom and dignity in a country of our own.

It is time for our people to obtain their unconditional freedom and national rights as required by international law. This calls for positive and proactive steps, both nationally and internationally, in order to end the occupation and reach a just and lasting political settlement in our region. For our part, we have to dedicate ourselves to the task of state-building. This will be critical to our success. In parallel, we have to be fully engaged with the international community, and we should work to secure the full backing of our Arab brethren and the political and economic support of our friends around the world.

The establishment of an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state is fundamental for peace, security and stability in our region. Whereas Israeli settlement policies and activities continue to undermine the viability of the two- state solution, our government is determined to preserve and advance this solution concept through our full commitment to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) program. We call on our people to unite behind this program and the government’s vision to transform it into a reality. This is the path to freedom. This is the path to the creation of the independent state of Palestine on the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. And, yes, this can and must happen within the next two years.

The work of our government will be guided by international law and the precepts of good governance, as we work to ensure the fulfillment of our commitments toward our citizens and our partners in the international community. Despite the occupation practices, which have severely hampered our progress, we have demonstrated in recent years the will and capacity to build toward statehood. This government is fully committed to building on the accomplishments of the previous governments, and it will work to further develop effective institutions of government based on the principles of good governance, accountability and transparency.

The determination of our people to end the occupation and establish our independent state underpins our confidence in their support for the goals and policies outlined in this document. It is through the support of our people that we will succeed in our mission. Through their commitment to the PLO program- the program of self-determination, the right of return and the establishment of an independent state- combined with the sense of accomplishment and self-empowerment that has started to emerge as a direct consequence of the success of the national stabilization effort over the past two years, we are confident that the Palestinian people will fulfill their national aspirations, provided, of course, that we also succeed in restoring the unity of our homeland and institutions.

The establishment of a Palestinian state requires collective dedication to this national goal, which is shared by the various political and social organizations, academic and cultural institutions, non-government organizations, local government councils, the private sector, the land-protection and anti- settlements and anti-Wall committees, and the national organizations of women and youth. Therefore, this government’s program seeks to involve all sectors and segments of society in the national drive to develop and advance our institutions. We take fully into account that our people expect a government that provides them with security and basic services and fosters development in all spheres, while respecting their rights and liberties. We believe that building and sustaining effective institutions can only be accomplished through full partnership between the government and the citizens.

The present document sets out our national goals and the priorities and activities of the PNA institutions for the next two years. Moreover, the 13th government will do everything in its power to ensure that general elections will be held on their constitutionally mandated date in January of next year, in accordance with the law and highest international standards. This is a right of all citizens, and it is a constitutional requirement that should not be overlooked.

We look forward to continued regional and international support to establish Palestine as an independent, democratic, progressive, and modern Arab state, with full sovereignty over its territory in the West Bank and Gaza, on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Palestine will be a peace-loving state that rejects violence, commits to co-existence with its neighbors, and builds bridges of cooperation with the international community. It will be a symbol of peace, tolerance and prosperity in this troubled area of the world. By embodying all of these values, Palestine will be a source of pride to all of its citizens, and an anchor for stability in this region.

Salam Fayyad
Prime Minister

To View the Full Document as PDF (308 KB)

The Palestinian Authority condemns this morning’s US convoy explosion in the Occupied Gaza Strip and offers its condolences to the explosion’s victims, their families, the American administration and the American people.

“The Palestinian Authority condemns this morning’s explosion in Occupied Gaza in the strongest possible terms. Our condolences go to the victims, their families, the American administration and the American people,” said Dr. Saeb Erekat, Chief Palestinian Negotiator, who continued “The explosion was against the peace process and against Palestinian national interests.”

Dr. Erekat said that the Palestinian Authority is prepared to conduct a joint investigation into the explosion with US counterparts and stressed that the convoy was in Gaza at the request of the Palestinian Authority to help implement the Road Map.

Initial reports indicate the explosion took the lives of up to four convoy members. No group has taken responsibility for the roadside bomb and it remains unclear whether the US convoy was the intended target.