FACTFINDINGMISSIONTO MAY GAZAANDTHEWESTBANK 2009

AreportbytheBritain-PalestineAllPartyParliamentaryGroup THE DELEGATION

ThedelegationfromtheBritain-PalestineAllParty ParliamentaryGroup(BPAPPG)visitedGazaandthe WestBankfrom14thto20thFebruary2009primarily toviewtheimpactofIsraelimilitaryoperationsin Gazafrom27thDecember2008to18thJanuary 2009.1 ThedelegationwasledbyRichardBurdenMP, ChairoftheBPAPPGandincludedTonyLloydMP,Ed DaveyMP,SarahTeatherMP,AndySlaughterMP,Martin LintonMP,SaraApps(OfficeofMartinLinton)and DuncanSinclair(OfficeofRichardBurden).Graham Bambrough(CAABU2)wasalsoamemberofthe delegationandcoordinatedthevisit.Thedelegation wassponsoredbyWelfareAssociation.3

Thedelegationheldarangeofmeetingswithofficials, diplomats,organisationsandindividualsandvisited Ashkelon,GazaandtheWestBank.Theofficialsand institutionstheymetincludedPalestinianPrimeMinister, SalamFayyad,RaffiqHusseini(ChiefofStaffto PalestinianPresidentMahmoudAbbas),UnitedNations ReliefandWorksAgency(UNRWA),UnitedNations OfficefortheCo-ordinationofHumanitarianAffairs (UNOCHA)andtheBritishConsulGeneralinEast Jerusalem.Thedelegationrequestedameetingwith Israel’sMinistryofForeignAffairs,butthisdidnotmeet withapositiveresponse.TheNGOs,civilsocietygroups andindividualswhothedelegationmetincluded: WelfareAssociation,theQattanCentrefortheChild, Palestinianhumanrightsgroups(Al-HaqandPalestinian CentreforHumanRights),Palestinianbusinesspeople, medicalstaff,teachers,academics,politicians,UKand Palestinianjournalists,andotherresidentsofAshkelon, GazaandtheWestBank.

TheBritain-PalestineAllPartyParliamentaryGroup wishestothankCAABUandtheWelfareAssociation fortheirassistancewiththisvisit.Thanksalsotoall thoseinternational,PalestinianandIsraeligroupsand Britain-PalestineAllParty individualswhosehelptothedelegationwasinvaluable ParliamentaryGroup inmeetings,inprovidingpersonaltestimoniesandin c/oRichardBurdenMP organisingvisitswithinPalestineandIsrael. HouseofCommons London *Coverphoto(l-r):RichardBurdenMP,SarahTeather MP,MartinLintonMP,AndySlaughterMP,TonyLloyd SW1A0AA MPandEdDaveyMP.

*Backcoverphoto:SeparationWall,EastJerusalem.

1 IsraelimilitaryoperationsinGazaduringthisperiodnamedbyIsraelas‘Operation 3 WelfareAssociation(WA-UK)isaBritishregisteredcharity(Reg.number1020238) CastLead.’ withhumanitariananddevelopmentprojectsinPalestineandLebanon.WAhelpedto fundthisAllPartyDelegation.FormoreinformationonWelfareAssociation,visit 2 CAABU(CouncilfortheAdvancementofArab-BritishUnderstanding)provides www.welfareassociation.org.uk. SecretariatservicesfortheBritain-PalestineAllPartyParliamentaryGroup.Formore informationonCAABU,visitwww.caabu.org. CONTENTS

Executive Summary...... 1

1. The ...... 2 1.1Introduction...... 2 1.2Accessforgoods...... 2 1.3Movementofpeople...... 3 1.4Thewoundingandkillingofcivilians ...... 3 1.5Widespreaddestructionofcivilianareas ...... 4 1.6Attacksoneconomicinfrastructure ...... 4 1.7Attacksonhospitalsandmedicalfacilities...... 5 1.8Attacksonschools...... 6 1.9Humanitariansituation...... 6 1.10Useofwhitephosphorous...... 7 1.11Accountability...... 7

2. The ...... 8 2.1Settlementexpansion...... 8 2.2Ma’aleAdumimsettlementandtheE1Plan...... 8 2.3ConfiscationofPalestinianpropertiesandthecolonisationofEastJerusalem ...... 9 2.4TheSeparationWall ...... 9 2.5Checkpointsandclosures...... 10

3. Conclusions and Recommendations of the Britain-Palestine All Party Parliamentary Group Delegation ...... 11 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY oneofthelargestsettlementsintheWestBank,near EastJerusalem.Theywerefamiliarisedwiththenearby ThedelegationfromtheBritain-PalestineAllParty E1Planwhichwouldeffectivelycutoffthenorthern ParliamentaryGroup(BPAPPG)visitedGazaandthe partoftheWestBankfromthesouthernpartthrough WestBankfrom14thto20thFebruary2009.They theconstructionandexpansionofsettlements.The witnessedthewidespreaddestructionofcivilianareas delegationwitnessedtheimpactofroadblocks, inGazaandmetwithmanyfamilieswhohadlost segregatedroadsystemsandtheSeparationWall,all membersandweretryingtocareforthosewhohad restrictingthemovementofPalestinianresidentsof sustainedhorrificinjuriesindesperateconditions.They theWestBank.Thecompletefreezeofsettlement talkedwithanumberofschool,hospitalandNGO activityisoneofIsrael’sprimaryobligationsunderthe directorstolearnabouttheirexperiencesduringthe RoadMapandthiswasupheldattheAnnapolis bombardmentandvisitedsomeoftheworstaffected ConferenceinNovember2007.However,thishasnot areasofGaza,includingBeitHanoun,BeitLahiyaand takenplace;onthecontrarysettlementshave IzbitAbedRabbo.Theyvisitedschoolsandhospitals continuedtoexpandapace,renderingtheachievement damagedduringthewar,andprojectsmanagedbylocal ofaviableandcontiguousPalestinianstateevermore andinternationalNGOs. difficult.Theregimeofclosuresthatimpedeinternal movementintheWestBankcontinues.Theeffectof Therealityofthesituationwasstark.Aswellasthe themorethan600obstaclestomovement–ofgoods physicaldestruction,people–andinparticularthe andpeople–continuestoparalysethePalestinian children–werepsychologicallytraumatised.Theover- economyintheWestBankandpreventtheeconomic ridingimpressionwasthattheIsraeliattackonGaza developmentpromotedbyTonyBlairinhiscapacityas haddisplayedaseriousdisregardoftheimpactofits theSpecialEnvoyoftheQuartet. actionsoncivilians.Subsequenttestimoniesemerged fromIsraelisoldiersregardingverylooserulesof The recommendations of the delegation engagementinthisregard.Thedelegationalsoheard are summed up as follows: repeatedallegationsthatincendiarywhite phosphoroushadbeenusedillegally,endangeringand • Theopeningofallthecrossingpointsinandoutof maimingcivilians,andtheysawforthemselves Gaza evidenceindicatingthatthiswasthecase.Theyalso • Anindependentandimpartialinquiryinto sawevidenceofwidespreaddestructionofschools, allegationsthatwarcrimesandotheroffences hospitalsandothercivilianinfrastructure. againsthumanitarianlawwerecommittedbyboth sidesduringIsrael’sattackonGazaandthefiringof Inadditiontodealingwiththeimmediateaftermathof rocketsintoIsrael,andtheholdingofallrelevant themilitarycampaign,thepeopleofGazaare partiestoaccount continuingtolivewithaprolongedblockadebyIsrael • AninternationalembargoonarmssuppliestoIsrael whichhasdecimatedtheeconomyinrecentyearsand toaccompanytheactionalreadybeingtakenbythe reducedthemtohighrelianceonhumanitarianrelief. internationalcommunitytopreventthesupplyof AlreadyinMarch2008,UKcharitiesreportedthat armsintoGaza about80percentofGaza’spopulationwasdependent • Concertedactiontobringaboutacomplete onfoodaid.Thesituationhasdeterioratedfurther, settlementfreeze,includingahalttotheE1Planand withtherestrictionofhumanitariangoodsandmedical ahalttotheremovalofresidencyrightsof suppliesenteringGazacausingfurtherhardship. PalestiniansinEastJerusalem • TheliftingoftheclosureregimeintheWestBank ThedelegationspentaneveningandnightinAshkelon • ConditionalityenforcedinrespectofEU-Israel insouthernIsrael.Theywereshownanumberofsites agreements,withIsrael’stradeprivilegesunder which,althoughnowrepairedorintheprocessof thoseagreementsbeingsuspendeduntilitfulfilsits repair,hadbeenhitbyPalestinianrocketsinrecent ownhumanrights,andother,responsibilitiesunder months.Theyweretoldofresidents’fearofrocket thoseagreements attacksfromGaza. • Supportforthere-forgingofinternalPalestinian dialogueandreconciliation ThedelegationalsovisitedtheWestBank,toassess • Aninclusiveapproachtointernationalpolitical theimpactofongoingsettlementexpansion.Theysaw engagementwithallkeystakeholdersintheregion, theexpansionofIsraelisettlementactivityinsideEast toachieveaneffectivepeaceprocesstowardsa JerusalemandmetwithPalestinianfamiliesbeing sustainabletwo-statesolution evictedfromtheirhomes.TheyvisitedMa’aleAdumim,

1 • RegularvisitstotheregionforEUandUK Thedelegationspentthefirsteveningofthevisitin politicianstoseethesituationforthemselvesandto thetownofAshkelonwhichlieswithinrangeofthe makeappropriaterecommendationstotheir rockets.On20thNovemberlastyear,HumanRights governments. WatchreportedthatfourIsraelicivilianshadbeen killedbyPalestinianrocketsduring2008whichalso 1. THE GAZA STRIP spreadfearamongstthepopulationofsouthern Israel.5 TheUnitedNationsreportedthatfourIsraeli civilianswerekilledduringthe23dayconflictthat 1.1 Introduction beganon27thDecember,withfourmorecritically From27thDecember2008until18thJanuary2009, injured,11moderatelyinjuredand167lightlyinjured. Israellaunched“OperationCastLead,”itsmost devastatingandcostlyattackontheGazaStripsince 1.2 Access for goods thewarof1967.On19thJanuary2009,UNreports DespitethewithdrawalofIsraelitroopsandsettlers estimatedthatover1,300Palestinianswerekilled fromtheGazaStripinSeptember2005,anddespite duringtheconflict,including412children.5,300more theAgreementonMovementandAccessbrokeredby theUSinNovember2005,thePalestinianshavegained “Ifthereisafutureforthepeopleof nosovereigntyoverGaza’sborders,airspaceor Gaza,achanceofofferinglongterm territorialwaters.Infact,movementandaccessfor hope,we’vegottohelpPalestinians bothgoodsandpeoplehavebecomeincreasinglymore restrictedthroughtheIsraeli-imposedblockade,in gettheirordinaryliferestarted.” particularsinceJune2007followingthetake-overof Gazaby,asituationthatprevailstodate.The TonyLloydMP UNUnder-Secretary-Generaldeclaredthatthe normaldailyrequirement,includingcommercialgoods, shouldbeaminimumof500truckloads.6 Yetinthe Palestinianshadbeeninjured,ofwhom1,855were weekofthedelegation’svisit,anaverageofjust122 4 children. AccordingtoIsrael,theattackonGazawas truckswereenteringGazaperday,carryingonlygoods torespondtoanincreaseinfiringofQassam,Gradand thatIsraelapprovesas“humanitarian.”Thedeliveryof otherindiscriminaterocketsintosouthernIsraelby medicalequipment,agriculturalandindustrialsupplies, PalestinianmilitantgroupsinGaza,includingHamas. andconstructiongoodsneededforreconstructionare Thiswasfollowingthebreakdownofaceasefirethat routinelydeniedentry.WelfareAssociationstaffin hadmoreorlessheldforthesecondhalfof2008. Gazaexplainedthatawaterandsanitationproject EachsidehasitsownnarrativeaboutwhetherIsraelor theyaretryingtorestartrequiredcementandsteel Hamaswasresponsibleforthebreakdownofthe bars.Israelhaddestroyedthecementfactoriesin ceasefireandthereisnotroominthisreportto Gazaandwouldnotletthesegoodsin,despitethefact examinethecompetingclaimsindetail.Thepurposeof thatthisisahumanitarianprojectfundedbythe thedelegationwastoallowMPstoseeforthemselves EuropeanCommunityHumanitarianOffice. theeffectsofthewar,theongoingblockadeofGaza andtomakerecommendationsforthefuture. Petrolhadnotbeendeliveredthroughthecrossing pointssince2ndNovember2008,furtherexacerbating DuringOperationCastLead,theclosureofallGaza’s thealreadysevereeconomicstagnationofGaza.The crossingpointswithIsraelandEgyptmeantthat1.4 delegationsawPalestiniansqueuingwithjerry-cansto millionPalestiniansweresealedintothetinyStripand purchasepetrolthattheyweretoldhadbeen leftwithoutanymeansofescapeandwithsuppliescut smuggledinviatunnelsundertheEgyptianborder. off.Theysurvivedonexistingsupplies,eventhough Goodsclassedas“commercialcommodities,”rather thesehadalreadyreduceddramaticallythroughoutthe thanhumanitarian,areproscribedbytheIsraelis.Items previous18monthsoftheblockadeandthesituation thathavebeendeniedentryincludeglass,concrete, therehadbeenhighlightedbyaidagenciesasoneof plastic,certainspices,jam,tomatopaste,t-shirtsand graveconcern. pasta.Gazanexportshavealsobeenbroughttoa

4 UNOCHA(2009)Protection of Civilians Weekly Report 9-15 January 2009. Available from 6 UNOCHA(2009)Briefing to the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, http://domino.un.org/unispal.nsf/eed216406b50bf6485256ce10072f637/485b41bd89fbfae including the Palestinian question: Statement by John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for b852575400054a085!OpenDocument[accessed22ndApril,2009]. Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, 27thJanuary2009.Availablefrom http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_crisis_security_briefing_2009_01_ 5 HumanRightsWatch(2008)Letter to Hamas to Stop Rocket Attacks,20thNovember 26.pdf[accessed22ndMarch,2009]. 2008.Availablefromhttp://www.hrw.org/en/news/2008/11/20/letter-hamas-stop- rocket-attacks[accessed22ndApril,2009].

2 standstillbythiscontinuingblockade.Theeffectsof thiswereobviousinDecember2008whentheUN reportedthatinGazaunemploymenthadrisento almost50percent,withonly23outof3,900industrial enterprisescurrentlyoperationaland70percentof agriculturallandinGazanolongerirrigated,leadingto itsdesertification.7

1.3 Movement of people TheflowofpersonsintoandoutofGazahasbeen broughttoahaltbytheIsraeliblockade.Palestinians arenotnormallypermittedtoleave.Where exceptionsaremade,forexampleforveryserious SarahTeatherMPwithAbdulKareemneartheirdestroyedhouse,BeitHanoun,Gaza medicalcases,thereisoftenaprotractedprocedureto gainpermission.Gazaissurroundedonthreesidesby ruinsoftheirhomeeachdaybecausetheyhadnothing aconcretewall,anda‘seamzone’isenforcedupto elsetodo. 1kmintoGazabyIsraelisnipers.Securityadvice issuedfromtheUnitedNationsstipulatesthatno-one LaterinBeitHanoun,thedelegationspokewith shouldapproachtooclosetotheborderwithIsrael. membersoftheHammadfamily,ninebrotherswho Palestinianfarmerstendingtotheirlandhavebeen hadalllosttheirhomesduringtheconflict.Oneof firedatbyIsraeliborderguards. thebrothershadspenttwentyyearsinSaudiArabia savingmoneytobuildhisfamilyhome.Thedelegation Inaddition,theterritoryisblockadedfromtheseaby alsomettheHamdanfamily,whosethreechildren Israelinavalpatrols.TheOsloAccordsof1993 Haya(5),Lama(6)andIsmael(8)werekilledinanair stipulatedthatGaza’sterritorialwatersstretchtoa strikeonBeitHanoun.Thefamilytoldhowtheir limitoftwentymiles,butinJanuary2009Gaza’s bodieswerefoundfiftyyardsapartfromoneanother. fishermenwererestrictedbyIsraeltothreenautical Thedelegationsawevidenceofthewar’spsychological milesfromtheshoreline.Thisremovesavitalfood impactonlocalchildrenattheCentrefortheChild,a resource,thequalityofwhichhasalreadybeen projectoftheQattanFoundation–aUKregistered impairedbysewagedumpedatseaduetothelackof charity–providingfreeeducationprogrammesfor sparepartstorepairandmaintainPalestiniansewerage Palestinianchildrenuptotheageoffifteen,focusing infrastructure. extensivelyoncomputerliteracyandreadingskills. Artworkdrawnbythecentre’spupilsdepictedburning 1.4 The wounding and killing of homes,tanksandexplodingshells. civilians OperationCastLeadwasmarkedbyitshighlevelof “Hearingthestoryaboutthethree civiliancasualties.Asstatedatthebeginningofthis report,over1,300Palestinianswerekilledduringthe children-Haya,Lama,andIsmael conflict,including412children.Thewoundingand Hamdan-whowerekilledinan killingoflargenumbersofciviliansappearsinpartto Israelibombingraid,makesoneeven bearesultofdirectionsissuedtoIsraelisoldiersby moredeterminedtoensurethatan seniorcommanders.8 OntheoutskirtsofBeitHanoun, northGaza,thedelegationmetAbdulKareemandhis internationalinquirytakesplace.” youngson,amidsttherubbleoftheirhome.The fatherexplainedhowtheirhousehadbeendestroyed RichardBurdenMP bytheIsraelisduringthewar,andwhilstthefamilyhad escapedwiththeirlivestheyhadbeenunabletosave anyoftheirpossessions.Thepairreturnedtothe

7 UNOCHA(2009)Gaza Humanitarian Situation Report, The Impact of the Blockade on 8 ArikDubnov,areservist,toldtheJewishChronicle;“fromthebriefingsbeforegoingin, the Gaza Strip, A Human Dignity Crisis,15December2008.Availablefrom itwasclearthatthearmyhadchangeditsentiremindset.Insteadofgettingtheusual http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_situation_report_2008_12_17_en precautionsonharmingcivilians,weweretoldabouttheneedtoamakeavery glish.pdf[accessed22ndMarch,2009]. aggressiveentry.Weweretold‘anysignofdangeropenupwithmassivefire’.”Pfeffer, Anshel(2009)GazaSoldiersSpeakOut,The Jewish Chronicle,5thMarch,2009.Available fromhttp://www.thejc.com/articles/gaza-soldiers-speak-out[accessed26thMarch, 2009].

3 ThedelegationmetwithFatherManuelMusallam, 1.6 Attacks on economic HeadmasterofaRomanCatholicschoolinGaza. infrastructure Speakingtothedelegatesheexpressedgraveconcerns TheeconomyofGazahasbeencrippledbyIsrael’s overthepsychologicaldamagethatthewarhascaused prolongedclosureofthecrossingpointsinandoutof tohispupils;“Theydon’tcryliketheyoughtto,they Gaza.Anestimated95percentofprivateindustryhas don’tlaughliketheyoughtto,theydon’tstudylike beensuspendedsince2007duetothelackofimported theyoughtto.” rawmaterialsrequiredforproduction.10 Theinabilityto exporthascausedtheindustrial,commercialand 1.5 Widespread destruction of agriculturalsectorstocollapse.Thedestructionof civilian areas infrastructureduringthemilitarycampaignhas TheUnitedNationsestimatesthatmorethan14,000 worsenedthestateofeconomiccollapse.Haaretz Palestinianhomesweredamagedordestroyedinthe reportedthattheIsraeliArmydestroyed600to700 recentfighting.9 ThetownofRafahinsouthernGaza factories,smallindustries,workshopsandbusiness washitparticularlyhardduetothelocationof enterprisesthroughouttheGazaStrip.11 undergroundtunnelsundertheborderwithEgypt. WithcontinuedIsraelimilitaryattacksinthisarea,the delegationwasunabletovisitRafahbutwitnessedat “Wehaveseenentirevillagesrazedto firsthandthewidespreaddestructionatthenorthern thegroundandfamiliesforcedtosleep endoftheGazaStrip.Areasneartotheborderwith intents.Theonlythingtheyownnowis Israelwereheavilytargeted.Thedelegationvisited asleepingmat.Thereisrubble BeitHanoun,BeitLahiyaandIzbitAbedRabboto everywhere…Howlongwillthese assessthedevastation. peoplebeforcedtosleepintents?” IzbitAbedRabbolieslessthan1kmfromIsrael,and whenthedelegationvisitedon16thFebruary,nota SarahTeatherMP singlebuildinginthetownof5,000inhabitantshadbeen leftstanding.Thetowncameundercontinuedaerial bombardment,beforeIsraeligroundforcesdynamited Thedelegationvisitedadestroyedindustrialzonein thehomesandusedbulldozerstoflattenanyremaining northernGaza,whichhadcomeundersustainedattack. buildings.Residentstoldthedelegationthat200people TheyspokewithDrYaserAlwadeyaandAmrHamad hadbeenkilledinthetown.Manyofthetown’s fromthePalestinianFederationofIndustries,whotoldof inhabitantsarenowlivingintentsneartotherubbleof thedestructionofabiscuitandice-creamfactory.The theirformerhomes,with90percentrelyingonthe AlwadeyafamilyhadownedtheAlAmeerice-cream UNRWAFoodDistributionCentrenearby. factoryfor55years.DrAlwadeyatoldthedelegation thathisfactoryhadnotbeeninvolvedinanymilitaryor terroristactivity.Infact,someofthesebusinesseshad bothpracticedandpromotedtradewithIsrael.The delegationwastoldhowtheAlAmeerplantusedto employ276people,butnowemploysjust28people.12

RichardBurdenMPandEdDaveyMPinIzbitAbedRabbo,Gaza

9 UNOCHA(2009)Field Update on Gaza from the Humanitarian Coordinator,19January 11 Hass,Amira(2009)IndustrialWastelands,Haaretz,26thFebruary,2009.Available 2009.Availablefrom fromhttp://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1067282.html[accessed26thMarch,2009]. http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_20 09_01_19_english.pdf[accessed26thMarch,2009]. 12 Formoreinformation,seeMcGirk,Tim(2009)TheDevastationofGaza:From FactoriestoIceCream,TIME,28thJanuary,2009.Availablefrom 10 OXFAM(2008)The Gaza Strip: A Humanitarian Implosion,March2008.Availablefrom http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1874539,00.html[accessed26thMarch, http://www.oxfam.org.uk/resources/downloads/oxfam_gaza_lowres.pdf[accessed26th 2009]. March,2009].

4 1.7 Attacks on hospitals and medical facilities Thedelegationvisitedthreehospitalsattackedduring thefighting:Al-QudsinGazaCity,Al-AwdainJabaliya andAl-,neartheborderwithIsrael.AtAl-Quds, thedelegationwereinformedthatthehospitalwas attackedonboth15thand17thJanuary,leadingtothe evacuationofover500patientsbymedicalpersonnel. Babiesinincubatorsweremovedontothestreet.On 17thJanuary,amissilefromanF-16fighterjetpierced theroofofthehospital,destroyingtheChildren’s Centreonthetopfloor.Thedelegationsawthatthe DamagewithinAl-WafaHospital buildinghadsustainedseveredamageandlarge sectionsofthehospitalarenolongeroperational. significantstructuraldamagetothebuildingand Theparliamentariansheardhowthehospital’s surroundingarea.Al-Wafaispartfundedbythe ambulancesalsocameunderrepeatedfirebyIsraeli WelfareAssociation,andtheUK’sDepartmentfor forces.HassanLatel,aparamedicfromAl-Quds InternationalDevelopment(DFID)fundedthegarden. Hospital,wasshotinthelegbyanIsraelisniperwhile Thedamagetothebuildingissignificant.Thesecond attemptingtoreachwoundedciviliansinJabaliya.In floorofthehospital,whichcatersforelderlypatients, total,16ofthehospital’sambulanceswerehitduring washitbyamissileandthebuildingwallsare theconflict,withfiveofthemcompletelydestroyed. pepperedwithlargebulletholes.Thedelegationwas ArafatAbedLedayen,aparamedicfromAl-Awda alsoshownanewhospitalextensionbuildingnext Hospital,waskilledwhenhisambulancewasfiredon door,whichhadbeenscheduledtoopenearlyin2009. byIsraelitroops. Itwasclearthatithadalsosustainedconsiderable damage.Thedelegationwastoldthatithadsuffereda DrAliHassan,DeputyMedicalDirectorofAl-Wafa directmissilestriketothefrontofthebuilding. HospitalineasternGazaexplainedhowthehospital cameunderheavyfireon15thJanuaryfor11hours. Thedelegationwastoldthatwhitephosphoroushad Itsproximitytotheborderplacedthefacilityonthe beenusedduringIsraelimilitarystrikesatAl-Quds frontlineofthegroundoffensive,resultingin HospitalandatAl-WafaHospital(see1.10below).

EmergencytentsitesetupforhomelessfamiliesonoutskirtsofBeitLahiya

5 Thedelegationvisitedatentedrefugeecamponthe 1.9 Humanitarian situation outskirtsofBeitLahiya.Thecompoundwascreated InDecember2008,beforethemilitarycampaignbegan, bytheUnitedNationsformembersofthelocal thehumanitariansituationinGazawasalreadydire. communitywhohadlosttheirhomesinthewar.The Over50,000Gazanchildrenweremalnourished, familieslivinginthecampsleeponthesandjusta nearlyhalfoftwo-year-oldsintheterritorywere shortdistancefromthesea.DrMohammad,ofthe sufferingfromanaemiaand80percentofchildrenhad UnionofMedicalReliefCommitteeswhich aVitaminAdeficiency.14 Asaresultoffueland administersthecamp,discussedwiththedelegation electricityrestrictions,Gazanhospitalswere howtheverypoorconditionsinthetentscoupled experiencingpowercutsfor8to12hoursaday. withthecoldnight-timetemperaturesare Thereiscurrentlya60to70percentshortagereported exacerbatingtheill-healthofthoseshelteringthere. inthedieselrequiredforhospitalpowergenerators.As earlyasMarch2008,areportfromeightleadingUK 1.8 Attacks on schools charitiesclaimedthatmorethanonemillionpeople,or DuringthecourseofOperationCastLead,240 80percentofGaza'spopulation,weredependenton schoolsweredamagedordestroyedbyIsraeliattacks. foodaidandthatGaza'spower,waterandsewerage ThedelegationvisitedtheAmericanInternational systemshadcollapsed.Over300,000peopledonot SchoolinnorthGaza,whichhadbeencompletely haveregularsuppliesofwaterand60tonsofraw destroyedduringthewar.RibhiSalem,Directorofthe sewageisdischargedintotheseaeverydaybecause school,reportedthatfourmissileshadstruckthe sewagetreatmentplantsnolongerwork.15 buildingon3rdJanuary,andtoldthedelegationthat theIsraeliArmyhadbeengiventhebuildingco- ThedelegatesvisitedAl-MugraqaWaterandSanitation ordinatesaftertheyhadhititonapreviousoccasion. Plant,southofGazaCity,aWelfareAssociationproject Theschoolhadopenedin2000atacostof fundedbytheEuropeanCommissionHumanitarian $7.2million.TwoUnitedNations-operatedschools Office.DrAbdulMajidNassar,itschiefengineer, werehitinBeitLahiyaandGazaCity,andanIsraeli confirmedthatGaza’sseweragesystemwaswoefully missilestrikeontheareasurroundingtheal-Fakhura inadequate.Therehadbeennorealinvestmentsince SchoolinJabaliyakilledatleast40people.TheUN 1997,andtheinfrastructurearoundGazaCitywas reportedthatofthemorethan400schoolsit designedtocopewiththeneedsof32,000people,not assessedinGaza,over60percenthadbeenpartlyor thehalfamillionitactuallyserves.Thesehumanitarian severelydamaged.Repairingthemisanurgentpriority. projectsurgentlyneedcementandsteeltobeallowed Inthemeantime,theUNChildren’sFundhasprovided intoGazainordertobecompleted. 10tentsaslearningcentresinthehardest-hitareas.13

“Whenyouseehomes,schoolsand hospitalsbombedtosmithereensand meetfamilieswhohavelost everythingtheyworkedfor,theword disproportionateseemstotally inadequate.Comingheretoseefor oneselfandhearfromeyewitnesses provesthatthemediaweresimply unabletoconveythescaleofthe devastation.”

TonyLloydMPatthedestroyedAmericanInternationalSchoolinGaza EdDaveyMP

13 UNNewsCentre(2009)Security Council Renews Call for Greater Humanitarian Access 14 SavetheChildren(2008)Grave Threat That Gaza Violence Will Leave Thousands More to Gaza,13thFebruary,2009.Availablefrom Children Malnourished,30thDecember,2009.Availablefrom http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=29904&Cr=gaza&cr1[accessed26th http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/en/41_7304.htm[accessed26thMarch,2009]. March,2009]. 15 OXFAM(2008)The Gaza Strip: A Humanitarian Implosion,March2008.Availablefrom http://www.oxfam.org.uk/resources/downloads/oxfam_gaza_lowres.pdf[accessed26th March,2009].

6 1.10 Use of white phosphorous Thereisevidencethatwhitephosphorus(WP)was usedbyIsraeliforcesacrossGaza.Amnesty InternationalmonitoredmanyWP155mmartillery carriershellsthroughoutGazawithmarkingsofM825 A1–aUS-mademunition.Thesearethesame markingsofthe155mmwhitephosphorusshells photographedinIsraeliArmystockpiles.16

InternationallawstatesthatWPcanbeusedasa smokescreen.Claimsarecurrentlyunderinvestigation thattheIsraeliArmydeployeditillegallyasaweapon, andinareasofdensecivilianpopulation,causingsevere burnwounds.Thedelegationwereshownremnantsof whatwasbelievedtobeWP.InthegardenofAl-Wafa AndySlaughterMPandEdDaveyMPinthedestroyedGazaMusicSchool Hospital,smallcratershavebeenburnedintheground; andonthepavedareabetweenthegardenandthe ThiswasechoedbyUnitedNationsSecretary-General hospitalbuilding,childrenpokedwithsticksatsmall BanKi-moon,whocalledfora“fullinvestigation” pilesofwhatseemedlikeshrapnelthatbeganto throughproperjudiciarysystemsintothebombingof 20 smolderonimpact. UNRWA’sheadquarters.

ThedelegationvisitedtheGazaMusicSchoolinGaza City,anotherQattanFoundationproject.Itissituated nexttoAl-QudsHospitalandwasbombedbyan Israelifighterjeton17thJanuary.TheDirectorofthe schooltoldthedelegationthattheferociousfirethat engulfedthefivestoreybuildingafterbeinghitwas attributedtothepresenceofWP.

1.11 Accountability Duringthewar,Israelwasaccusedbyavarietyof organisationsandbodiesofbreachinginternational humanitarianlaw.AmnestyInternationalreportedthat someofIsrael’smilitarytactics,suchastheuseof humanshieldsandthedeploymentofWPasaweapon, MartinLintonMPandAndySlaughterMPatthedamagedUNwarehouse,UNRWA constituted“prima facie evidenceofwarcrimes,”17 headquarters,GazaCity whilsttheInternationalCommitteeoftheRedCross RibhiSalem,DirectoroftheAmericanInternational accusedIsraelofpreventingmedicsfromgaining School,saidhefearedthathispupilswouldgrowup accesstothewounded.Israelisoldiersthemselves “withnofaithintheconceptoftheruleoflaw.” recentlytestifiedthattheydeliberatelykilled Palestinianciviliansunderpermissiverulesof engagementandintentionallydestroyedtheirproperty, givingexamplesofwomen,childrenandelderly civilianstheydeliberatelytargeted.18

BritishForeignSecretaryDavidMilibandcalledforan investigationinto“extremelyseriousallegationsabout theconductofbothsidesduringthisconflict,”butdid notspecifywhatformanyinvestigationshouldtake.19

16 AmnestyInternational(2009)Fuelling Conflict: Foreign Arms Supplies to Israel/Gaza. 19 HouseofCommonsDebates(2009)Oral Answers to Questions – Defence: Gaza,12th Availablehttp://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE15/012/2009/en/3301b5c0-189b- January,2009.Availablefromhttp://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2009-01- 4ba2-9bca-68e116fd590f/mde150122009en.pdf[accessed26thMarch,2009]. 12a.21.0&m=1416#g31.0[accessed26thMarch,2009].

17 Ibid. 20 Ki-moon,Ban(2009)Press Conference by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon,10thFebruary, 2009.Availablefromhttp://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2009/sgsm12092.doc.htm 18 Harel,Amos(2009)IDFkilledciviliansinGazaunderlooserulesofengagement, [accessed26thMarch,2009]. Haaretz,19thMarch,2009.

7 2. THE WEST BANK 2.2 Ma’ale Adumim settlement and the E1 Plan ThedelegationspentthreedaysintheWestBankto ThedelegationwastakenbyPalestinianhumanrights assesstheeffectsoftheongoingIsraelioccupation, organisationAl-HaqtoseetheIsraelisettlementof mainlywithregardtocontinuedsettlementexpansion, Ma’aleAdumimontheeasternoutskirtsofEast constructionoftheSeparationWall,confiscationof Jerusalem,thelargestsettlementintheWestBank. Palestinianlandanddestructionofproperty.AllIsraeli Establishedin1975,ithousesmorethan30,000Israeli settlementactivityinoccupiedPalestinianlandisillegal settlersandisgeographicallylargerthanTelAviv.24 underinternationallaw.Furthermore,itisindirect Ma’aleAdumimwasdesignedtobepartofablockof contraventionofIsrael’sobligationsundertheRoad settlementsextendingeastwardsfromJerusalemcity Map,whichwereupheldattheAnnapolisConference limitsasfarastheoutskirtsofJericho. inNovember2007.Thestatedpolicyofthe internationalcommunityandtheUKGovernmentisin TothewestofMa’aleAdumimliesalargeareathat linewithinternationallaw. Israelhasdesignatedforahugedevelopmentknownas theE1Plan.Apolicestationhasalreadybeen 2.1 Settlement expansion constructed,heraldingtheplannedconstructionofa Atpresentthereare149settlementsintheWest newsettlement,whichIsraeloftenclaimsisnotanew Bank,plusover100outposts(make-shiftdwellingsthat settlementbutratheraccommodatesthelegitimate createfactsonthegroundasaprecursortoanew “naturalgrowth”ofMa’aleAdumim.Theinternational settlementoranextensiontoanexistingone).Under community,includingtheUSA,disagreeswiththis Israelilaw,theseoutpostsaredeclaredillegal,whereas assertionandhasrepeatedlycondemnedtheplan. settlementsingeneralarenotdeemedasillegal(as Nevertheless,preparationsforconstructionand mentioned,settlementsareillegalunderinternational inhabitationarepushingaheadapace.Thefulfilmentof law).Thesettlerpopulationnumbersnearly500,000.21 theE1PlanwouldnotonlyfurtherisolatePalestinian UnderthetermsoftheRoadMap,Israelwasobliged EastJerusalemfromtherestoftheWestBankbutalso tofreezesettlementexpansionanddismantlethe severelyrestrictthenaturalgrowthoffour outposts.22 However,sinceAnnapolistherehasbeen surroundingPalestinianvillages.Together,Ma’ale anincreaseinsettlementactivity,with1,223new AdumimandtheE1blockwouldseverthenorthof settlementunitsconstructed.Currently,settlements, theWestBankfromthesouthernpart,andseriously outposts,naturereserves,greenzones(inwhich impedemovementbetweenthetwo.25 Israelhason Palestiniansarenotpermittedtolive)andmilitary manyoccasionscommittedtofreezingsettlement zonestakeup40percentofthePalestinianterritory expansion,apartfromnaturalgrowth.However,the oftheWestBank.23 settlementgrowthrateiscurrently5.5percent,three timesthepopulationgrowthofIsraelproper,due partlytomigrationintothesettlements.TheIsraeli “IntheWestBankyouseebulldozers governmenthassofarspentUS$50millionon everywhere,buildingnewhousesinthe infrastructureforthearea,suchasthepolicestation Israelisettlementsanddemolishing andasettler-useonlyroad.Ifcompletethesitewillbe housesinthePalestinianareas.The hometoover100,000Israelis. bulldozersaregraduallyburyingallhope ofatwo-statesolution,becausenothing ismorecertaintoratchetupthelevelof hatredfortheoccupationoftheWest Bankthanthecontinuedbuildingof settlements.” MartinLintonMP

21 B’Tselem(2009)Land Expropriation and Settlements: Statistics.Availablefrom fromhttp://ochaonline.un.org/cap2005/webpage.asp?Page=1629[accessed26thMarch, http://www.btselem.org/english/Settlements/Statistics.asp[accessed26thMarch,2009]. 2009].

22 U.S.DepartmentofState(2003)A Performance-Based Roadmap to a Permanent Two- 24 Krouzman,Roni(1999)21stCenturyPalestine:Towardsa“SwissCheese”State? State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict,20thApril,2003.Availablefrom Middle East Report,213,38-40. http://www.un.org/media/main/roadmap122002.pdf[accessed26thMarch,2009]. 25 EuropeanUnionMission(2005)ReportonEastJerusalem,Palestine-Israel Journal of 23 UNOCHA(2007)Occupied Palestinian Territory: Consolidated Appeal 2008,Available Politics, Economics and Culture,12(2&3),155-164.

8 2.3 Confiscation of Palestinian andIsrael),andatsomepointsupto22kmfromthe 28 properties and the colonisation of GreenLine. ApproximatelyninepercentoftheWest Bankwillfinditselfonthe‘wrong’sideofthebarrier East Jerusalem onceitiscomplete,dislocatingitfromtherestofthe In1967,thetotalareaoflandclassedasEastJerusalem WestBank.NearEastJerusalem,theWallfollowsthe representedjust6.5km2.Followingtheillegal municipalboundary(thelinedeterminedbyIsraelin annexationofEastJerusalembyIsrael,theboundaries 1967),exceptwhereitexcludescertaindensely wereexpandedtocover72km2.Eventhoughthe populatedPalestinianareas,suchasKafrAqab’s20,000 colonisationofoccupiedlandisillegalunder JerusalemIDholders,30,000inShu’afatRefugeeCamp, internationallaw,therearenow193,000settlersand morethan50,000inRaam,and30,000inQalandiya 64,000IsraelihousingunitsinEastJerusalem.The RefugeeCamp.29 resultisthattodaytherearemoreJewishresidentsin PalestinianEastJerusalemthanPalestinianresidents.26 Anestimated200,000to250,000PalestiniansinEast ThesettlementsaroundEastJerusalemwere Jerusalem(10percentofthetotalpopulationofthe constructedtohelpprotectIsrael’sunilaterally WestBank)areseparatedfromtherestoftheWest determinednewbordersafterthe1967War, BankbytheWall.30 ThosePalestinianswithWestBank separatingEastJerusalemfromtherestoftheWest identitycardswhofindthemselvesonthewestsideof Bank,severingPalestiniancommunities,andprohibiting theWalldonotreceivethesamerightsand thenaturalgrowthofEastJerusalem. entitlementsasthosewithJerusalemidentitycards, suchasIsraelihealthcareandeducation.Yettheyhave Settlementexpansionisalsoassociatedwiththe alsolosttheirfreeaccesstotherestoftheWestBank, confiscationofPalestinianlandandthedestructionof ontopoftheexistingrestrictionsonmovementonce Arabhomestomakewayfornewlyconstructed withintheWestBank.Asaresult,manyPalestinians buildings.Thedelegationsawevidenceofproperty havedifficultyaccessinghealthcareandeducationdue confiscationinEastJerusalem.TheymetUmmKamel totheclosureregimesurroundingtheWallintheEast whohadbeenevictedfromherhomeon9th Jerusalemarea. November2008intheShaikhJarrahneighbourhood justdownfromtheAmericanColonyHotelinone ThedelegationvisitedthePalestinianvillageofNahlin, directionandtheBritishConsulateintheother.The westof,wheretheysawlandthatwillsoon evictionofherfamilywastomakewayforsettlers beclearedtomakewayfortheWall’sconstruction. whoclaimedthehouseviaOttomantitledeedsdating TherouteoftheWallwillleavemorePalestinianland backto1880.Sincetheeviction,herfamilyhasbeen tothewesternsideoftheWall.Thiswilleffectively livinginatentneartotheirconfiscatedproperty.Her linkthatterritorywithanIsraelisettlementsbloc husbanddiedinhospitalshortlyaftertheeviction,and whichcrossestheborderbetweenIsraelandtheWest UmmKamelfacesrepeatedevictionattemptsfrom BankandincludestheIsraelitownsofMod’inand hertemporaryshelterbytheIsraeliauthorities.27 Mod’inElit.Weweretoldthattheconstructionwill resultintherazingofolivegrovesthatareessentialto 2.4 The Separation Wall thelivelihoodofNahlin’sinhabitants. Since2003,IsraelhasbeenerectingaSeparationWall, partfence,part8-metrehighconcretewall,between theWestBankandIsrael,butsnakingeastwardinto andaroundlargeswathesofPalestinianlandand, significantly,manyofthesettlementsinanattemptto annexthemintoIsraelproper.TheInternational CourtofJusticein2004issuedanOpiniondeclaring theconstructionofmuchofthewall/fenceon Palestinianlandunlawful.Theproposedrouteis 715kminlength,threetimeslongerthantheGreen Line(the1949armisticelinebetweentheWestBank

26 Halper,Jeff(2000)The94PercentSolution:AMatrixofControl,Middle East Report, 28 Barsella,Anat(2007)Ground to a Halt: Denial of Palestinians’ Freedom of Movement in 216,14-19.Availablefromhttp://www.merip.org/mer/mer216/216_halper.html the West Bank,B’Tselem,Jerusalem.Availablefrom [accessed26thMarch,2009]. http://www.btselem.org/Download/200708_Ground_to_a_Halt_Eng.pdf[accessed26th March,2009]. 27 Formoreinformation,seeBahl,Michael(2008)ElderlyPalestinianCoupleEvicted fromEastJerusalemHomeDespiteU.S.Protest,Haaretz,9thNovember,2008. 29 Kreimer,Sarah(2005)TheJerusalemEnvelopeEndangersIsrael’sSecurity.Jerusalem Availablefromhttp://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1035683.html[accessed26th Post,25March.Availablefromwww.ir-amim.org.il/EngArticles/SarahKreimer.html March,2009]. [accessed16June2008].

9 2.5 Checkpoints and closures West Bank Barrier Route - June 2007 InSeptember2008,atotalof630obstaclestointernal movementwithintheWestBankwererecorded.31 Suchobstaclesincludecheckpoints,roadblocks,gates, earthmounds,trenchesandbarriers.AccesstoEast ISRAELISRAEL JerusalemfromtheWestBankiscontrolledby36such obstacles.OncompletionoftheSeparationWall, therewillbe17entrypointstoEastJerusalemthrough West Bank checkpoints,onlyfourofwhichcanbeusedbythe West Bank minorityofWestBankPalestinianswhohavespecial permissiontoenterEastJerusalem,andeventhen, onlyonfoot.32

ThedelegationexitedRamallahonfootthrough Qalandiyacheckpoint.Whilstwaitingtocrossat Qalandiyasomeofthedelegatesspokewithlocal Palestinians,whocomplainedofregularlengthydelaysas wellashumiliatingtreatmentofPalestiniansatthe checkpoint.ThedelegationitselfwitnessedIsraeli JORDAN borderguardsapparentlyarbitrarilyswitchingthe channelsinwhichPalestinianshavetoqueuefor securitychecksandclosingwithoutwarningchannelsin whichpeoplewerealreadyqueuing.Thousandsof PalestiniansneedtocrossthroughQalandiyaeachday, toworkinEastJerusalem,andonlythosewiththe 33 correctIsraeli-issuedpermitsareallowedtodoso. ISRAELISRAEL

Dead West Bank Sea

015 0

Kilometers

Constructed Declared closed area Under Construction Other areas between the Projected Green Line and the Barrier

Source:UNOCHA(2007)

30 B’Tselem(2006)A Wall in Jerusalem: Obstacles to Human Rights in the Holy City. 32 Dolphin,Ray(2008)Presentation of OCHA Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Availablefromwww.btselem.org/download/200607_A_Wall_in_Jerusalem.pdf Briefing,May2008,14June,EastJerusalem [accessed27January,2008]. 33 UNOCHA(2008)Barrier Gates Open to Palestinians,July2008.Availablefrom 31 UNOCHA(2008)OCHA Closure Update.Availablefrom http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/BarrierRouteProjections_July_2008.pdf[accessed http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_closure_update_2008_09_english.pdf 26thMarch,2009]. [accessed26thMarch,2009].

10 3. CONCLUSIONS AND Thedelegationhasthefollowingspecific recommendations.Wedonotclaimthattheyare RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE comprehensivebutwedobelievetheyshouldbekey BRITAIN-PALESTINE ALL elementsintheactionsbeingtakenbythe PARTY PARLIAMENTARY internationalcommunity. GROUP DELEGATION 1. Open the crossings in and out of Gaza – MorepressureshouldbeputonIsraeltoopenthe OneandahalfmillionPalestinianslivinginGazaare crossingsintoandoutofGaza.Thereshouldbe exhaustedfrom20monthsofblockade,and unfetteredaccessforhumanitarianaid,andaccessalso traumatisedbythreeweekstrappedinawarzone grantedformaterialssuchascementwhicharevital withnomeansofescape.Theharshandprolonged fortherepairandreconstructionofhomesand restrictionsonmovementandaccessarenotjustified. infrastructuredamagedanddestroyedduring Togetherwiththelatestdisproportionateand OperationCastLead.Eventhoughtheseneedsare indiscriminatemilitaryattacklaunchedinOperation themosturgent,forasustainablefutureaccesshasto CastLead,thesemeasuresconstitutecollective beaboutmorethantheflowofhumanitarianrelief punishmentofthepeopleofGazaandtheymustend. intoGaza.ThepeopleofGazashouldbeallowedto rebuildtheirowneconomyandthatmeansallowing TheIsraeliGovernmenthasclaimedthatitsactionsin exportsaswell.Thereshouldberenewedeffortswith GazaarealegitimateresponsetothefiringofQassam allpartiesconcernedtoensuretheimplementationof andotherrocketsintosouthernIsraelandthat the2005AgreementonMovementandAccess. OperationCastLeadwaspromptedbyanincreasein rocketattacksfollowingthebreakdownofthe 2. Accountability –Investigationshavealready ceasefiretowardstheendof2008.Eachsidehasits commencedintoallegationsofbreachesof ownnarrativeaboutwhowasresponsibleforthe internationalhumanitarianlawandofwarcrimes breakdownoftheceasefireandthisreportisnotthe associatedwithrecenteventsinGazaandsouthern placetoexaminethecompetingclaimsindetail.Either Israel.Wewelcomethisbutbelievethereshouldbe way,weareclearthatindiscriminatefiringofrockets greaterclarityintheinternationalcommunityabout intosouthernIsraelisunacceptableandmuststop. themechanismsthataretobeusedtoensure: Therocketattackscausegenuinefearandtrauma amongstIsraeliciviliansfarinexcessoftherelatively • Thataninternationalinquiryisthorough,impartial fewphysicalcasualtiesinvolved.Althoughsome andthatithasthepowerstogathertheevidenceit Palestiniangroupsinvolvedclaimthepurposeofthe needs rocketsistoencourageordinaryIsraelistoquestion • Thatwherethereisevidenceofwarcrimesor theirownGovernment’songoingtreatmentofthe otherbreachesofinternationallaw,thatthose Palestinians,theevidencesuggeststhattheyaremore responsiblearebroughttoaccount,whetherthey likelytoachievetheopposite. beIsraeliorPalestinian • Theroleswhichinternationalinstitutionssuchasthe Inthesameway,Israel’sblockadeofGazaandits UnitedNations,theInternationalCriminalCourtand militarystrikesarealsocounter-productive.They theHighContractingPartiestotheGeneva encourageratherthandiscouragethespreadof Conventionswillplayintakingforwardtheabove. militancyamongstPalestinians. Israelshouldalsobeheldfinanciallyaccountablefor Eventhoughrecentinternationalattentionhas thedamageitcausedtoGazaduringOperationCast understandablyfocusedonthesituationinGaza,one Lead,includingthedestructionofinternationally shouldnotlosesightoftheongoingimpactofIsrael’s fundedprojects.Inparticular,theEUshouldcreatea occupationoftheWestBank.Thiscontinuestobe publicinventoryofallEU-fundedprojectsdamaged, characterisedbytheexpansionofillegalIsraeli destroyed,delayedand/orsuspendedsince27th settlementsonconfiscatedPalestinianland,the December2008. divisionofPalestiniantownsandcommunitiesbythe SeparationWallandyetmoreisolation,marginalisation 3. International arms embargo – The andrestrictioncausedbycheckpoints,outposts, internationalcommunity–includingtheUK–has roadblocksandtheever-complicatedsystemsof alreadyannouncedconcertedeffortstointerceptand permitswhicharerequiredtoallowPalestiniansto preventthesupplyofarmsandmilitaryequipment leavetheirowntown. intoGaza.Thisembargoshouldbeaccompaniedbya prohibitiononallsalesofarmsandmilitaryequipment

11 andpartstoIsraeluntilthereisnolongerthe inPalestiniansociety.FollowingHamas’armed likelihoodofIsraelbeinginvolvedinexternal takeoverofGazain2007andthesubsequentdismissal aggression,internalrepressionortheviolationof ofitsGovernmentbyPresidentAbbas,thisprocesshas internationalhumanitarianlaw. ledtoanincreasedanddangerousestrangement betweentheWestBankandGaza.Unfortunately, 4. Settlement expansion – Theinternational policiespursuedbytheQuartetfollowingtheoriginal communityshouldcontinuetomonitorsettlements electionofHamasoftenaggravatedtensionbetween expansion,andtakeactiontoholdIsraelproperlyto Palestinians,ratherthaneasedthem.TheUK accountinrespectoftheircommitmentundertheRoad government,theEUandtheinternationalcommunity Maptoceaseallsettlementactivity;thiswasupheldatthe asawholeshouldtakeactivemeasurestopromote AnnapolisConferencein2007.TheBritishgovernment reconciliationincludingsupportforthecreationofa mustcontinuetoraisetheissueoftheillegalityofthese nationalunitygovernmentleadingtofresh settlementsandusethepoliticalleversavailabletoitto ParliamentaryandPresidentialelectionswithinthe stoptheirexpansion(seeRecommendation6below). year.UKandotherforeignparliamentarianscanplaya Becauseofitsstrategicsignificance,particularactionis valuableroleinencouragingthisprocess. requiredatthistimetohalttheE1Plan.Greaterpressure shouldalsobeputonIsraeltoceasebothsettlement 8. International political engagement with expansionandtheremovalofPalestinianresidencyrights all stakeholders in the region –theQuartet insideEastJerusalem. insiststhatajustandsustainablesolutionmustembodyan endtoviolence,recognitionoftherighttoexistoftwo 5. There should be more pressure on Israel states–PalestineandIsrael,andthatthepartiestothe to stop the construction of its Separation conflictshouldaccepttheirobligationsunderexisting Wall on occupied land and lift the closure agreements.However,byrefusingtotalkwithany regime in the West Bank – TheSeparationWall, Palestiniangroupwhodonotyetsignuptothesethings andtheclosureregimeiscloselyintertwinedwiththat asapreconditiontodialogue,theinternationalcommunity ofthesettlementsandtheiraccompanying hasmissedvaluableopportunitiestobringkeyplayersinto infrastructure,suchassettler-onlyroads,whilst thepeaceprocess.ItisdoubtfulthatIsrael’stheoretical restrictingPalestinianmovementaroundtheWestBank. acceptanceoftheQuartet’sconditionsinrecentyearshas Notonlyarethesedevelopmentsillegallyconfiscating beenreflectedinitsactionsinpracticeandfollowingthe landbuttheypreventtheeconomicdevelopmentofthe recentGeneralElection,itisasyetunclearwhetherthe WestBank,includingprojectsbeingpromotedbyTony newGovernmentofIsraelevenacceptstheQuartet’s BlairastheQuartet’sSpecialEnvoy. conditionsintheory.Allthismakesitvitalthatthe internationalcommunityadoptsamoreinclusive 6. Enforcement of conditionality in the EU- approachtodialogueonbothsidesandrenewsitsefforts Israel Association Agreement and in any topromoteasustainabletwo-statesolution.Weurgethe upgrading of EU-Israel relations –Theexisting UKgovernmenttoencouragetheObamaadministration andproposednewagreementsbetweentheEUand intheUSAtoactivelyembracethatkindofnewapproach. Israelwithregardtotradeandotherbilateral cooperationisanareawheretheEUandtheBritish 9. Delegations to the region – Thereisno GovernmentcanandshouldholdIsraeltofullaccount substituteforseeingthesituationinIsraelandPalestine foritsactions.Inthelasttwoyears,theUK firsthand.WeencourageotherEUandBritishpoliticians Governmenthasplayedanimportantroleinpersuading tovisittheregiontoseeforthemselvestherealityonthe theEUtotakeamoreactiveroletoensurethatgoods groundandtomeetnotonlywithgovernmentfigures, producedinIsrael–whichcanbenefitfromtrade internationalinstitutionsanddiplomats,butalsowith preferences–arelabelleddifferentlyfromproductsfrom localorganisationsandlocalpeople. IsraelisettlementsintheWestBankwhichdonotqualify forsuchpreferences.TheEU’sagreementswithIsrael alsocarrywiththemhumanrightsobligations.Israel’s “Hearingeyewitnessaccountsofatrocities privilegesunderthoseagreementsshouldbesuspended andseeingforourselveshowwhole unlessitalsoimplementsitsobligations. communitieshadbeendestroyedbythe 7. Encourage internal Palestinian political warmadeallofusmoredeterminedto workforreliefforthepeopleofGazaand dialogue –politicaldevelopmentssinceHamaswon tocalltoaccountthoseresponsiblefor theelectionsin2006haveresultedinbitterinternal strife,thebreakdownofcohesionandtheruleoflaw theseterriblecrimes.” AndySlaughterMP

12