Ramallah – June 13, 2019. Al Haq participated in a public session organized by the Diakonia International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Resource Centre on Israel’s increased destruction of property across Area C and East Jerusalem. Adv. Dalia Qumsieh, Al-Haq's senior legal advisor, addressed Israel’s recent legislative developments in area C. In its presentation, Al- Haq shed light on two main alarming legislative measures: the amendment of the Administrative Affairs Court law, and the adoption of Military Order 1797 that expands the authority of Israel's Civil Administration to carry out demolitions in Area C, effectively providing for the fast-tracking of forcible transfer of Palestinians and setting of the areas, for annexation.Diakonia, Al-Haq, Badil Resource Center, and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) presented briefly their analysis and research on current Israeli trends and the annexation in Area C; Diakonia presented a new legal analysis on property destruction, ongoing violations of International Humanitarian Law, and the responsibilities of third states vis-a-vis a situation of continuous violations of international law; Badil Resource Center presented a new case study report on the settlement of "Gush Etzion" south of Bethlehem. NRC provided an overview of the annexation discourse in Israel and the continued challenges facing humanitarian organizations operating and providing support in Area C.
A significant number of international, diplomatic, and UN representatives working in the occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) attended the session and engaged in interactive discussion.