226 alestineFebruary 2017

State of Justice In this issue This issue deals with the internal aspects of justice in Palestine. The title is ambiguous on purpose: “state” implies both the status of justice in Palestine as well as the recognized State of Justice political entity that Palestinians aspire to, and both themes are taken up by our contributing authors. The occupation and related issues are only of secondary importance here – 4 Rule of Law and State-Building even though in many cases, they exert substantial impact. We deemed it important to highlight Palestinian successes in the field of justice, take a closer look at the factors 8 Harmonizing Palestinian Legislation 226 February 2017 that we can influence, and determine where we can change our situation for the better, with International Law alestine even under difficult external circumstances. The result is an issue that we are happy 12 Judicial Independence and proud to publish. Thanks to our distinguished authors who include Special Representative of the 18 The Master’s Tools Administrator at UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People Roberto Valent; founder and former director of the Institute of Law at Birzeit University Dr. 22 Political Division Ghassan Faramand; research fellow Ata Hindi; head of the Development Cooperation 28 A Fighting Match among Thieves at the Swedish Consulate General in Jerusalem Johan Schaar; executive director of The Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession 30 Towards a New Legitimacy (Musawa) Ibrahim Barghouthi; lawyer and legal adviser to the Palestinian Authority Diana Buttu; legal adviser and human rights activist Karem Nashwan; executive director 36 The One-Stop Center of B’Tselem Hagai El-Ad; country representative of Terre des hommes Foundation, Joseph Aguettant; lawyer and general manager of the Palestine Maintenance Fund 40 The Palestinian Maintenance Fund Fatmeh Muaqqat; Major Wafaa Al-Hussein; deputy chairman of the Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution Iyad Abu Hjayer; lawyer Hana Aslan; researcher at the 46 Navigating Gender in the Police Force Independent Commission for Human Rights in Gaza Mustafa Ibrahim; and lawyer Ayah 50 Juvenile Justice in the Gaza Strip Al-Wakeel. Our personality of the month is a passionate advocate of gender inclusion and a colonel in the Palestinian police force. In addition, we present two books of the 56 Statistics State of Justice month, an exhibition, some inspiration to visit Hebron, and an interesting selection of cultural activities in our events section. 58 Steps toward Justice Our sincere thanks go to the substantive supporting contributions of Dania Darwish, Telefax: +970/2 2-295 1262 62 Several Violators, Only One Victim UNDP Communications Specialist and the staff of the Sawasya UNDP/UN Women [email protected] Joint Programme: Marisa Consolata Kemper, Joint Programme Manager; Cindy Thai 66 When the Law Fails Women www.thisweekinpalestine.com Thien Nghia, Communications Specialist; Stacy Weld-Blundell, Technical Specialist; www.facebook.com/ Wafaa Al Kafarneh, Programme Analyst Gaza; Alice Yousef, Legal Translator; Bisan 70 In the Limelight ThisWeekInPalestine Mousa, Women’s Security Analyst; Ana Lukatela, Protection Specialist; Ahmad Shurafa, Anti-Corruption Coordinator; Ayah Abu Basheer, CSO 74 Reviews Coordinator Gaza; Athar Zaghal, Finance Associate; Jihad Shomali, Justice Analyst; Julie Samara, Programme Assistant; and Mamoun 78 Events This special issue of This Week in Palestine focusing on the State of Justice is sponsored by Attili, CSO Coordinator. the United Nations Development Programme / 80-88 Listings Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People Best wishes from all of us at TWiP. through SAWASYA, the UNDP/UN Women Joint 89-97 Maps Programme “Strengthening the Rule of Law: Justice Sincerely, Tina Basem and Security for the Palestinian People” (2014- 2017), generously funded by the Government of 98 The Last Word the Netherlands and the Swedish International Development Cooperation. Forthcoming Issues March 2017: Palestinian Poets and Poetry The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Government of the Netherlands, the Swedish Government, April 2017: Palestinians Who Leave Their Mark the Swedish International Development Agency, UN Women, UNDP, the United Nations or any of its affiliated May 2017: What You Didn’t Know About Gaza organizations.

The views presented in the articles do not necessarily reflect Advisory Board Riyam Kafri-AbuLaban the views of the publisher. Principal, Friends Boys School Maps herein have been prepared solely for the convenience of the reader; the designations and presentation of material Nasser Al-Kidwa Mazen Karam do not imply any expression of opinion of This Week in Chairman, Board of Directors, Yasser Arafat Foundation Managing Director, Bethlehem Development Foundation Palestine, its publisher, editor, or its advisory board as to the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area, or the Naseer Rahmi Arafat Bassim Khoury authorities thereof, or as to the delimitation of boundaries Cultural Heritage Enrichment Center CEO, Pharmacare LTD or national affiliation. Ola Awad Abeer Odeh President, PCBS; President, IAOS Minister of National Economy 2 3 failure of efforts to strengthen the rule of law in the State of Palestine, and concerted national and international alignment is essential if progress is to Without concerted be made on key reforms necessary to efforts by all Rule of Law and safeguard the social contract and not actors – national risk undermining state-building efforts. and international, Following the establishment of the governmental and State-Building formal apparatus of Palestinian nongovernmental – to government more than 20 years ago, ensure the integrity the Palestinian Authority embarked of rule of law in the Forging the Social on a flurry of activity, formalizing or Palestinian context, the putting in place the internal frameworks laudable state-building which are the institutional hallmarks of work of the last two Contract a social contract governed under the decades risks being rule of law – an interim constitution undermined. in the form of the Palestinian Basic Law, a legislative assembly, a formally constituted judicial authority, law enforcement capabilities, and so on. Today, in no small part owing to the violations, the weak economic base, intensive state-building agenda, many inconsistent international engagement, By Roberto Valent of these institutions have reached and shifting regional priorities all considerable maturity in terms of their present considerable impediments. structural and functional organization Domestically meanwhile, the lack and their capacity to deliver services of an internal political settlement, to the Palestinian people. However, flawed legal frameworks, capacity ffective state-building is not simply about building or capacitating the essential question that we must weaknesses in justice and security state institutions. It is about forging a “social contract” between the pose here is: to what extent has this institutions, evidence of social state and its inhabitants, shaping and enforcing a set of political, process succeeded in galvanizing a fragmentation, and perceptions of a social, and economic rules that govern both society and the state dynamic state-society relationship in growing “securitization” also hinder itself. This relationship is a form of political settlement, delineating which expectations can be legitimately the development of a strong rule of E the checks on power and the limits on individual agency. Rule of law negotiated and managed in accordance law framework. provides the anchor for this relationship. It is both the foundation and with the rule of law, and what steps are Amidst protracted conflict and the result of this political settlement. Rule of law is, in essence, the needed to strengthen this further? occupation, the yearning for justice implementation framework for the social contract and is therefore The challenges of the current context is deeply felt, and the imperative to fundamental to the success or failure of the state-building project; for must of course be acknowledged. reinforce the social contract and meet as experience has taught us elsewhere, prioritizing institution-building At the regional and international the legitimate expectations of society over and above efforts to ensure government accountability, social levels, the lack of a horizon on final- is all the more important. Returning to cohesion, citizen security, and the protection of rights has too often status issues, the stagnation of the our question then, it is fair to say that, undermined reforms and ultimately allowed space for destabilization peace process, the tightening of at the level of the overall state-society and violence. the occupation, impunity for grave bond and the rule of law framework that Strengthening the rule of law is a complex and often tricky task, precisely because it is concerned with the exercise of political power, the distribution of authority and resources, and human rights. Far from being a purely technocratic endeavor, rule of law development is more often than not highly political in content and nature, and subject to competing interests. Identifying opening points for addressing systemic issues can be a considerable challenge, improvements often require long-term investment, and measuring the impact of reforms can be a convoluted and resource-intensive process. Understanding these factors is critical to the success or 4 5 regulates it, progress has been uneven. priorities for strengthening the rule of civic engagement in this discourse is Law in the oPt: Justice and Security On the positive side, improvements law in the State of Palestine is still essential. for the Palestinian People”. Many of the in public trust and confidence in of concern. Examples are discussed With good reason, international excellent results and challenges faced state rule of law institutions can be elsewhere in this edition of TWiP, assistance to the Palestinian justice in these projects are highlighted in this shown over recent years in some but I would point in particular to the and security sector has been accorded edition. Yet the international community instances, as well as examples of need for steps to restore confidence greater and greater importance since has not always aligned its assistance some increasingly responsive rule of in the independence of the judiciary, the start of the Palestinian state- as effectively as it might. Better law services. Ongoing justice-sector to ensure accountability for alleged building process, in just recognition international alignment is essential for cooperation on the development human rights violations by security of the role played by an effective the promotion of rule of law reform and of a national legal-aid strategy will personnel, to clarify roles and rule of law framework in conflict development at the domestic level in hopefully constitute a further advance, mandates in the justice and security resolution and in development and the State of Palestine. Meanwhile UN Member States also have a collective responsibility to support compliance with international human rights instruments and resolutions of the UN Security Council to advance the rule of law and accountability at the international level. In order to strengthen coherent approaches to rule of law assistance in the State of Palestine, UNDP is now working to design an integrated programmatic framework, together with UNICEF and UN Women. It is hoped that, alongside our donors and other development partners, and in partnership with the Palestinian government and Palestinian civil society, this programme will make an important contribution to strengthening the rule of law, reinforcing the social contract, and underpinning the state-building agenda.

Roberto Valent is the Special Representative of the Administrator for UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP). Prior to his current position, Mr. Valent was the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in El Salvador and Belize. From 2007–2010, Mr. Valent was Deputy Special Representative at UNDP/PAPP. From 2005–2007 he was Deputy Country Director in the Artwork by Abdel Nasser Amer, Gaza. Democratic Republic of Congo, and and we should continuously recall that sectors, to advance the harmonization democratization processes. We are before that he was assigned as Deputy Resident Representative in Sudan from the human rights treaties to which the of legal frameworks, and to prioritize fortunate to be supporting efforts in this 2002–2005. Mr. Valent began his career State of Palestine acceded in 2014 are the reestablishment of a single, unified regard with funding from the European with UNDP in 1995 in Albania. An Italian amongst the most valuable tools at our judicial authority between the West Union for the project entitled “Building national, Mr. Valent holds a BA and an collective disposal in this overarching Bank and the Gaza Strip. These are a Sustainable Legal Aid System in MA in political science from Bologna pursuit. all sensitive issues, but they are at the Palestine” and from a consortium of University, Italy, followed by another MA in international relations from Sussex On the other hand, more limited core of strengthening the rule of law donors including The Netherlands and University, United Kingdom. progress on some of the acknowledged to reinforce the social contract – and Sweden, “Strengthening the Rule of 6 7 A selection of the conventions signed by Harmonizing the State of Palestine in 2014 ICCPR: International Convention on Civil and Political Rights ICESCR: International Convention on Palestinian Economic, Social and Cultural Rights CEDAW: Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Legislation CERD: Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination CRC: Convention on the Rights of the with International Child CAT: Convention against Torture (CAT) CRPD: Convention on the Rights of Law Persons with Disabilities

By Ghassan Faramand, Ata Hindi, and Johan Schaar Palestine’s reputation both at home and to enshrine international standards abroad. To this effect, however, some and facilitate the State of Palestine’s urgent, practical steps need to be taken accession to regional and international in order to align national legislation with conventions and treaties. It was he relationship between international law and the State of Palestine international treaties, as it has already promulgated in 2002 with the intention has plagued the legal world for nearly a century. A new chapter of this been three years since this commitment of ending the occupation and building relationship opened, with all associated opportunities and challenges, was undertaken. a democratic state. With respect to when Palestine was granted non-member Observer State Status in the Most scholars agree that the relationship human rights in particular, article 10(2) United Nations in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution between international treaties and of the Palestinian Basic Law provides 67/19 in 2012, allowing it to join international treaties. T domestic law is regulated by specific that the state “shall work without Riding on the euphoria of this event, the State of Palestine immediately constitutional rules. In general, the delay to become a party to regional signed 55 international treaties and conventions in early 2014. Seven question revolves around whether and international declarations and of these are human rights treaties regulating the rights of social domestic law should be part of a single covenants that protect human rights.” minorities and the underprivileged; others interface more broadly system of law, or whether international Unfortunately, it does not go further to between the citizen and the state. law and domestic law should be indicate the status of international law independent of one another. The in case of contradictions with national The State of Palestine’s signature of these conventions is extremely legislation. This raises the question as significant. For once, the act underpins the Palestinian state’s majority of Palestinian legal scholars espouse the latter interpretation, to how to best reconcile the Palestinian commitment to espouse international values relative to human legal system with the obligations that rights as a member of the international community. Furthermore, the holding the opinion that international and domestic law are two independent have been imposed by the State of conventions provide both opportunity and obligation for Palestinian Palestine’s joining of international law, justice, and security practices to be formally amended in order legal orders. But this matter has not yet been entirely clarified. treaties, particularly with regard to the to ensure that human rights are respected. The State of Palestine’s treaties pertaining to human rights. The embrace of international law, as a strategy to improve the protection of The Palestinian Basic Law, the backbone solution to this problem lies in one of its citizens, will promote trust and confidence, and enhance the State of of the Palestinian legal system, attempts the following scenarios. 8 9 Scenario 1 – harmonize domestic Scenario 3 – incorporate new articles treaties. In cases when international The newly formed Palestinian legislation with the international treaties within the draft constitution in order treaties should contradict Basic Law, Constitutional Court may play a key to which the State of Palestine is a party. to delineate the status of international e.g., constitutional articles, the lack role in interpreting the provisions of and Scenario 2 – provide for the national treaties. of a proper reference could lead to setting straight the relationship between judicial system to implement The actual concern regarding Scenario 1 the exclusion of international treaties the Basic Law and international treaties international treaty provisions by pertains to the consistency between the from the domestic legal order. Yet, to which the State of Palestine is a party, invoking international law in judgments. Palestinian Basic Law and international according to Article 27 of the Vienna in line with the Vienna Convention on the Convention on the Law of Treaties, to Law of Treaties. Furthermore, a strong which the State of Palestine is a party, recommendation has been voiced to Artwork by Mohamed Harb. states cannot invoke domestic law incorporate new articles within the as a justification for failure to comply draft constitution in order to delineate with treaty obligations. The State of the status of international treaties with Palestine has the obligation to observe respect to their domestic application. the application of the treaty and must This would mend the current situation in report on the vitality of this application. accordance with Scenario 3, providing Since the Palestinian Legislative Council for specific articles in the constitution is not active, the responsibility for on international law and treaties. issuing laws falls on the Palestinian The current situation poses a clear president; upon issuing, these laws problem that needs to be fixed. Until are to be promulgated and published otherwise specified, Palestinian Basic in the Official Gazette.* Unfortunately, Law prevails over the Vienna Convention however, and perhaps owing to a lack of on the domestic front. Efforts have been certainty on the issue, the treaties that made by the Palestinian government, the State of Palestine has joined have the Birzeit University Institute of Law, not been published in the Palestinian and other Palestinian civil society Official Gazette. organizations to harmonize Palestinian In the absence of such publication, domestic law and the international it is not entirely clear whether judges treaties to which the State of Palestine may directly apply these treaties, or is a party. Such efforts must continue whether they should refer back to in the interest of the Palestinian people. customary international law. Customary international law is the body of law Ghassan Faramand holds a PhD and that is reflective of a general practice is a founder and former director of the of states and determines the rules Institute of Law at Birzeit University. that states have accepted as law (for He is a lawyer and a lecturer at Birzeit example, the right to freedom from University. torture is a customary international law to which states are bound, regardless of Ata Hindi is a research fellow in whether they have joined the Convention international law at the Institute of Law against Torture). at Birzeit University. Ideally, through the judiciary of any state, Johan Schaar holds a PhD from the judges can point out contradictions Swedish University of Agricultural between domestic and international Sciences. Since mid-2013, he has been law for the purpose of providing the the Head of Development Cooperation legislature a means of ensuring that at the Swedish Consulate General in domestic laws meet international Jerusalem, which manages Swedish standards. Without publication in development support to Palestine. the Official Gazette, however, judges cannot invoke treaties as a source of law. Hence Scenario 2 becomes more difficult. * As per Article 41(1) of the Palestinian Basic Law.

10 11 and otherwise – in accordance with constitutional guarantees. Separation between each of these “pillars” of the state allows for checks and balances A quick and viable on power – each authority carries out manner by which the Judicial its duties within specific parameters, judicial authority and not encroaching on the others, while public prosecution ensuring checks and balances against can be unified and possible domination exercised by the rebuilt in order to better Independence executive. In such a manner, absolute serve Palestinians authority cannot emerge, and all involves as initial three branches fit together in a tight steps the holding of (if sometimes tense!) cooperation in general elections for a A Pillar of order to achieve the democratic goal of legislative council and protecting public interest and upholding president. individual and collective rights. Statehood The second is the principle of judicial oversight on the application of law. Artwork by To achieve and maintain community Mohammed Al Haj. Courtesy of Filistin security and stability over legislative Ashabab. and executive powers – both political in nature – the judge and jury manage conflict amongst individuals or between individuals and the executive regarding By Ibrahim al-Barghouthi* the manner in which it enforces law. Being able to plead before a judge and having access to court are fundamental and legitimate rights, not to be toyed The existence of an effective, professional, and independent judiciary with or manipulated. As such, judicial is a cornerstone of the rule of law, separation of powers, and control is the ultimate expression of rule democracy itself. An impartial, efficient, independent, and active of law and constitutes the foundational judiciary necessitates beholding the judicial functions as a societal criteria of a democracy – once the prerogative – undertaken to support the individual and community – judiciary has ruled, the executive body T and certainly not one of seeking personal gain. cannot take contrary or defying action. In this manner, all citizens commit While an independent and effective judiciary rests on many elements, to maintaining the rights of others there are six basic principles that underpin its fundamental aspects in accordance with the provisions as the foundation of a functional state – principles which are soundly of the law as a means to achieve applicable to the State of Palestine in spite of its complex historical security and stability. circumstance. The third principle The first is the principle of separation of powers, which characterizes is that of complete modern democracies. Reliant on a parliamentary system of independence of the government, the people choose their legislative representatives and judicial authority as a hold them responsible for the enactment of laws on their behalf. manifestation of sovereignty to The legislative authority appoints officials to form a cabinet that be protected and isolated from constitutes part of an executive authority and is responsible for the the other two authorities of state enactment of laws and legislation – also on behalf of the electorate in order to impartially conduct its – a process that is duly undertaken by the government infrastructure work. Operating in isolation from that includes ministries, departments, and enforcement bodies. the populace, the judiciary shall Supervision of the application of laws is under the judicial authority necessarily be excluded from direct which oversees the very sovereignty of the state and aims to supervision of the people – by assure the legality of actions – undertaken by government agencies definition the source of authority.

12 13 Considering the prolonged period of political division between the West Bank and Gaza, and the unfortunate reality that general elections have neither taken place nor are likely to take place in the foreseeable future, an urgent national imperative exists to rebuild and unify the judiciary.

common vision, objective processes, and the standardization of tools and mechanisms to build a single, unified judicial authority capable of functioning throughout the territory and manifesting the abovementioned characteristics. Currently, political, executive, and administrative considerations have Artwork by Salem Awad. Courtesy of Filistin Ashabab. compromised the executive’s impartiality, compounded by an Oversight of judicial work is achieved effect, the system becomes susceptible order to encourage scrutiny of judicial apparent absence of political will to through other legal means that include of allowing those who guard the performance and decisions, keeping establish effective and fair jurisdiction public trials, public sentencing, judicial law to break the law, particularly judges in check with standards and for Palestinians. The executive has inspection (evaluation and audit of dangerous should that include the regulations. become entangled with the judiciary judicial performance), and anti- judges themselves. The sixth principle is that of the as an administrative service station corruption infrastructure. The fifth principle provides for effectiveness of the legal profession rather than as a pillar of safeguarding The fourth principle establishes the constitutional protection of an and its independence. Lawyers are law and rights. This reality has induced judicial function as the keeper of social independent judiciary and judges. the “right hand” of judges in applying a loss of confidence in the judiciary and and political security. Such a process Unequivocally, judges must be left justice and assuring rule of law by compromised the principle of judicial is underpinned by the complete to do their job without fear, threat, or ensuring the right to effective defense, independence. segregation of political-party interference in a stable environment protecting freedoms, providing for fair Where to go from here? affiliation from the judicial function. that guarantees their security. Such trial, and safeguarding equality for all Should this line be breached, one can protection is the reciprocal side of trust before the law. Locally and internationally, a sustained push must be made to hold general no longer speak of an independent in judicial independence, and while For Palestinians, to ensure adherence judiciary capable of addressing social, it will consider judges as human and elections for a new legislative council to the six principles elaborated above and president. The resultant legislative economic, and political conflicts – a susceptible to error, it will nonetheless necessitates a unification of the two circumstance which invites corruption keep the overall faith in the appeal council shall call for a national existent judicial bodies – that of Gaza conference of civil society, academics, and application of the “law of the and inspection functions by keeping and that of the West Bank. Reversing jungle,” obstructing the rule of law human error in check. Modern litigation and community representatives the devastating impact of the political to select a national committee of and ultimately compromising the systems split the judicial process division on the judiciary requires a development of the state itself. In to “regular” and “appeal” levels in professionally qualified, independent,

14 15 and impartial actors who, by presidential decree, would be entrusted with the task of evaluating the public prosecution and other judicial law-enforcement bodies. Those qualifying would stay in post, while others would be transferred to alternative government functions or retire, retaining pension privileges. Once having scrutinized existing judges, the committee would turn to the task of selecting judges for vacancies. Committee decisions on appointments would be effective from date of issue and not subject to appeal. The committee would then be granted the power to propose amendments to judicial laws as it deems necessary, for approval by the legislative council and ratification by the president. Once this mission is accomplished, the high judicial council would be formed as per provisions of the relevant judicial laws. The task would then turn to the formation of the constitutional court. The committee would review the performance of the constitutional court, also evaluating the bill itself and the necessity of establishing the court. If deemed necessary, relevant laws would be reviewed and amendments proposed to guarantee the court’s independence prior to its formation. The legislative council would then approach the president for ratification of the constitutional court. Finally, the committee would look into the administrative law that regulates the function of government to ensure the establishment of a two-tier litigation system that provides for appeal courts. Similarly, committee decisions would be forwarded to the legislative council for approval and to the president for ratification. After years of political division in the State of Palestine, it is now the national prerogative of civil- society organizations and academic institutions to establish a consensus and call for the formation of a national committee to put in motion procedures for reconciliation and unification of the judiciary. Impartiality in the committee must be established – be it regarding political affiliation, territorial adherence, or familial association – and intense scrutiny must be observed in establishing the judiciary. Only in this manner will the State of Palestine overcome the myriad obstacles that exist in order to close the democratic deficit and to Artwork by Mohammed Al Haj. consciously work towards good governance and the Courtesy of Filistin Ashabab. solid foundations of a state.

Advocate Ibrahim al-Barghouthi is the founder and executive director of The Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession, Musawa. He is also a consultant member of the Legislation Advisory Committee at the Ministry of Justice and a member of the Anti-Corruption Arab Network.

*Translated from Arabic by Alice Yousef.

16 application of Israeli law to the area, and Palestinians living within the municipal boundaries of the city became subject to Israeli law, despite international condemnations to the contrary. The Palestinians from East The Master’s newly expanded East Jerusalem was joined with West Jerusalem, thereby Jerusalem can attempt creating the fiction of an “undivided to prevent or seek Jerusalem.” Owing, however, to the redress through Israeli Tools lack of political pressure on Israel, courts for wrongs that this illegal annexation continues, with violate their basic rights. Palestinians forced to seek other means They have no other to fight for their right to live in dignity in means. Increasingly, their homeland and city. however, such litigation is becoming But although Israel wanted Palestinian meaningless, as courts land, it did not want the Palestinians are ruling in favor of the By Diana Buttu on that land. Since its unilateral Israeli government in the annexation, Israel has invested great large majority of cases. effort in preserving what it calls the “demographic balance” in Jerusalem, which means reducing the number

owhere in the world is the legal situation as absurd as in Jerusalem. For nearly 50 years, Palestinians have been forced to resort to using Israel’s courts as the only means available in cases N when they are either seeking redress for or hope to prevent wrongdoings by Israel. The use of Israel’s courts came after Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967, when Israel immediately annexed more than 71 square kilometers of Palestinian West Bank land to Jerusalem and expanded the city limits to include these illegally annexed portions. Moshe Dayan, then Israeli Defense Minister, proclaimed, “[t]he Israeli Defense Forces have liberated Jerusalem. We have reunited the torn city, the capital of Israel… [and vow] never to part from it again.” Twenty-two days later, on June 27, 1967, the Israeli government passed the Law and Administration Ordinance that provided for the extension of Israeli law, jurisdiction, and administration to the newly occupied Arab East Jerusalem. The annexation brought 30 Palestinian villages and a refugee camp into Israel’s municipal jurisdiction. With the annexation, Israel extended the Photo courtesy of Palestine Image Bank.

18 19 of Palestinians living in the city and maintaining a Jewish majority of some 70 percent, although the numbers and figures have varied over the years. Residents of East Jerusalem struggle for their right to continue living in the place where they were born and where their families have lived for generations. Despite this, many of them are forced to leave the city due to Israel’s ongoing policy of discrimination that includes, among other things, revocation of status, strict limitations on housing construction, failure to provide adequate infrastructure, low budget allocations for education, and high property taxes. What began 50 years ago as a means of trying to uphold Palestinian rights in an Israeli court system, litigation before Israeli courts has now turned into a means of legitimating the very court, as it has only served to undermine these rights. The veneer of “legality” over proceedings remains for those outside casual observers of the Israeli legal system, but for those who have worked within the system, these past 50 years have merely demonstrated that Palestinians cannot receive redress within the Israeli legal system. Today, Palestinians in East Jerusalem Artwork by Mohammad Joulani. must use a legal system that pronounces its judgments in the language of the occupier; they must defend their rights to stay in their homes and homeland, undergo DNA tests to register their kids the very real and very complicated but they will never enable us to bring treated as the equivalent of immigrants to families pushing back from settler problems created by Israel’s occupation about genuine change.” Indeed, real in the place of their birth and ancestry, takeovers. I often find myself explaining and colonial desires over Jerusalem. change for Palestinians will not come at and must plead before a court that is the absurdity of Israel’s policies to With limited and dwindling resources, the end of a gavel but through sustained an extension of the government and unbelieving friends, such as the blanket NGOs have remained at the forefront international pressure demanding an country that seeks their exclusion. policy of not allowing Palestinian of trying to preserve Palestinian rights end to Israel’s oppressive rule. Until that The demolition of homes, the theft spouses from the West Bank or Gaza and a Palestinian presence in the city of time, the world will continue to pretend of land, and the expulsion of East Strip to reside in East Jerusalem; that, Jerusalem. Though they are not always that Israel’s legal system is a system of Jerusalem’s indigenous population are even when given the limited ability to successful, NGOs have spent nearly justice; but for those of us involved in all considered “legal” by this court. So reside in East Jerusalem, they cannot five decades pushing back against the system, we know it for what it is: a prevalent is the use of these courts obtain driver’s licenses or easily obtain Israel’s territorial and demographic system of injustice. that I often hear people joke that each health insurance; that they cannot travel designs. But as good as they are, they Palestinian in East Jerusalem has the through the airport with their family, and will never be able to undo Israel’s rule, Diana Buttu is a Palestinian lawyer and number of a lawyer listed on speed so on. All these rules have been upheld for as Audre Lorde once wrote, “For the researcher who resides in Haifa. She previously served as a legal adviser dial in their phones. Lawyers can in some form by the court. master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house. They may allow us to to the PLO negotiations team and later regale friends with horror stories – In the midst of this struggle lie NGOs to the PA. from stories about families needing to that work to try to find solutions to temporarily beat him at his own game,

20 21 Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Authority emerged, causing further discord in wasted no time in working to unify these the legislative, executive, and judicial systems. This began with parliamentary authorities. The regular and Shari’a decisions to unify the judiciary, followed courts, public prosecution, and the by other fundamental acts of legislation Ministry of Justice were all profoundly Political Division around the years 2001–2002, including affected. the Law on the Formation of Regular So what exactly is the impact on justice The Impact on Justice Courts, the Judiciary Authority Law, of the Fatah-Hamas political split in the Civil and Commercial Procedures Palestine? How has this split affected Code, the Criminal Procedures Code, the justice sector and state capacity to the State of Palestine and the Palestinian Bar Association enforce justice? Can the performance of Law. These laws were catalysts to the justice-sector institutions be developed merging of the justice sector, which in spite of the split? This article aims included courts, public prosecution, to provide answers to these questions and the Ministry of Justice. and propose recommendations for In 2007, Hamas took control over truly unifying and activating the justice the Gaza Strip by force of arms, sector based on law and international precipitating dysfunction of the obligations incumbent on ruling parties. By Karem Nashwan* Palestinian Legislative Council and A number of changes have taken dissolution of the government headed place in the justice sector the State by Ismail Haniyyeh. Disputes over of Palestine as a result of the split. civil, military, and justice functions The legal framework that regulates the

ince its establishment in 1994, Donkey. Artwork by Mohammad Joulani. the Palestinian Authority has had to work with a myriad of legal complexities characteristic of a tumultuous history. Having been S selectively subjected to Israeli law and military orders since the onset of the occupation in 1967, Palestinians were obliged until 1994 to seek legal redress through Israel’s courts. The late President Yasser Arafat sought to undo this fundamental affront to justice at that time by decreeing all decisions issued by Israel after 1967 as null and void – in effect removing the legal terms of reference of the Israeli military occupation. Still more challenges awaited the newly established Palestinian Authority, however, as the legal and judicial systems remained bifurcated, with Jordanian laws applicable in the West Bank and a mix of Ottoman, Jordanian, and Egyptian laws in vigor in the

22 23 the Judicial Authority Law, and the Law on the Formation of Regular Courts. In fact, the legal framework that regulates the judicial authority is far detached from the actual condition of the judicial authority, constituting a serious legal breach reflected in separate entities between the two territories, including two high judicial councils, two attorneys general, two separate high courts, two separate Shari’a judicial councils (supreme judge departments), and two ministries of justice – all institutions which, under constitutional provisions, are necessarily to be unified and providing justice service in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip under the same parameters. Beyond the division of justice-sector institutions, lack of independence of the judiciary has hampered law enforcement. While civil society has taken on an important role in providing information, legal assistance, and legal representation to marginalized groups, the obstacles to consistent, governmental enforcement of law Qalandia checkpoint. Photo © Ahed Izhiman for UNDP/PAPP. include (1) a severe shortage of judges relative to the number of case files; (2) limited experience and capacity justice sector has been abandoned Since the 2007 split, the president has the Bloc has enacted approximately of judges; (3) interference of the and new unconstitutional and illegal issued over 160 decrees by law. 57 laws. A number of observations executive authority in the work of structures developed. This is apparent The following observations can be can be made regarding laws enacted judges and public prosecutors; (4) an in the manner in which the judiciary made about the decrees by law: (1) in accordance with this procedure: excessively slow litigation process; (5) and legal systems are currently being they apply only to the West Bank and (1) they are applied exclusively in the lengthy procedures for enforcement of administered in the areas formerly exclude the Gaza Strip; (2) most would Gaza Strip; (2) they are not provided sentences; (6) prevalence of corruption under the consolidated control of the not qualify as being taken “in cases of for in the Basic Law or PLC statute, and nepotism in the system; (7) Palestinian Authority. necessity”; (3) they do not take into and are hence unconstitutional; (3) the inadequate budgets designated to the Resulting from the dysfunction of the account contributions of civil societyii; president has not endorsed them in judicial authority (particularly when elected Palestinian Legislative Council, (4) they do not address core issues accordance with the constitution; (4) comparing to the budgets of the civil the split has given rise to two ways such as unemployment and poverty they are predominantly of an ideological police and security forces); (8) lack of circumventing a truly democratic that infect Palestinian society. nature. of willingness to enforce court rulings system to allow for the passing of Naturally, the legal split between the issued by the Gaza Strip in the West The second way in which laws Bank and vice versa; (9) inadequate legislation in practice. The first is have been enacted is by “powers of West Bank and the Gaza Strip exerts through decrees by law issued by the an enormous impact on the ability of court facilities, impacting the stature of attorney.” In the Gaza Strip, the ruling the judiciary and resulting in a system president pursuant to Article 43 of the iii the justice system to deliver consistent Change and Reform Bloc enacts inability to adjudicate cases. Basic Law that states, “The president laws under this procedure, whereby rulings in accordance with principles of the national authority shall have the members of parliament complete a of equality and fair trial. Moreover, the With the previous paragraphs as right, in cases of necessity that cannot quorum and vote by power of attorney judicial split has resulted in the formation background, I here suggest some be delayed and when the Legislative on behalf of incarcerated Palestinian of a judicial system in contradiction to approaches to remedy the state of the Council is not in session, to issue provisions of foundational pieces of Palestinian justice sector in light of the i Legislative Council members and those decrees that have the power of the law.” residing in the West Bank. In this way, national legislation – the Basic Law, political split: 24 25 1. Political reconciliation must be disciplinary measures applied to those achieved in the interest of the who violate such ethics. Palestinian state and people, and a 12. The oversight role of civil society restructuring of the justice sector needs to be revisited such that undertaken in accordance with the law. effective pressure be exerted on 2. Legislation regulating the work of decision-makers regarding reform of justice-sector institutions must be the justice sector in accordance with unified and updated, particularly law. securing judicial independence and 13. Justice-sector institutions in Gaza ensuring prompt enforcement of need to be included in national budgets justice. and donor-assisted interventions, and 3. Judges should be provided fair judges must be involved in training salaries lest they become prone programs and awareness campaigns. to corruption as a result of the dire Adoption of these recommendations economic situation, particularly in the would put the State of Palestine back Gaza Strip. on track in terms of progressively 4. A unified judicial training institute improving capacity to deliver justice to needs to be established to ensure its people and underpin state capacity professional development of the to fulfill its obligations as a respected judiciary. member of the international community 5. Court and prosecution facilities must of nations. be renovated to cater for the physically disabled. Karem Nashwan is a legal adviser and human rights activist. He works 6. Modern technology should be as external legal consultant for some employed in the administration of the local and international organizations in justice sector. Palestine. Mr. Nashwan is an advocate for women’s rights and gender equality. 7. Judicial inspection over judges and In addition, he has produced some prosecutors must be unified and legal studies on gender, women’s adopted to ensure accountability and rights, labor rights, and child labor. He independence. has a master’s degree in law. 8. Legal aid and outreach must be *Translated from Arabic by Sammy expanded in scope to ensure proper Kirreh. targeting of the most vulnerable and safeguard universal access to justice. i Article 43 of the 2003 Amended Basic law. Full version of the Basic Law available at: http://www. 9. Employees of the justice sector palestinianbasiclaw.org/basic-law/2003-amended- should benefit from professional basic-law. development, particularly focusing on ii In particular, they have lacked consultation with respect to the merging of the penal code and personal- improving their capacities in gender status law, the enactment of trade union laws, and issues, human rights, communication, laws regarding domestic violence and youth rights. international law, and law enforcement. iii As a result of the January 2006 Palestinian Legislative 10. Incentives should be provided for Election, Hamas – represented by the Change and Reform Bloc – achieved a great victory and won 74 judges, prosecutors, lawyers, and seats of the total 132 seats of the PLC, while Fatah other employees through recognition won just 45, PFLP 3, and the remaining 10 seats for and provision of annual awards. other independent individuals. At the time, Hamas temporarily formed a majority government within the 11. Training needs to be provided in PLC, but the refusal of other parties to participate in the area of professional ethics for governing, aided by the international boycott of the lawyers, particularly in the areas of PA under Hamas, did not allow it to function. As a integrity, credibility, and objectivity result of these factors, in 2007, Hamas took control of Gaza by force, and it has exercised control and in defending the rule of law and functioned as the local authority in Gaza ever since. 26 A brawl between thieves might be interesting to watch, but why should it elicit outcries about “the end of the ‘rule of law,’” “undermining the High Court of Justice,” and other disasters supposedly about to befall us? Just because two thieves cannot agree whether to leave a few precious scraps behind or steal them too? A Fighting Match Rule of law? As B’Tselem has been reporting for years, Israel operates as though Area C were its own sovereign territory. Controlling the 60 percent of the West Bank designated as Area C affords Israel 100 percent control over Palestinians — in city and village alike. Most recently, B’Tselem’s report “Expel and Exploit,” among Thieves describes the measures used by Israel to take over rural Palestinian space in the West Bank. These processes have been under way unfettered and in plain sight for easily two decades, with no need to resort to such special

Photo courtesy of Palestine Image Bank.

By Hagai El-Ad

dispensations as the Regulation Bill. Thanks to the High Court, without official annexation of land (except of East Jerusalem), the “law” that Israel applies he international community recently reaffirmed its consensus with in the West Bank serves not to protect people and their rights but rather to regard to Israel’s settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. UN legitimize, whitewash, and cover up almost any injustice. Rule? Certainly. Of Security Council Resolution 2334 states clearly that the “establishment law? Only insofar as it advances the dispossession of Palestinians. by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes Undermining the High Court of Justice? The Court is not some abstract idea T a flagrant violation under international law.” to be automatically hallowed and revered. It must be judged by its actions. In other words: Does Israel’s High Court of Justice truly promote justice, or do its That consensus withstanding, almost all of Israel’s governments have rulings occasion other results? When faced with the fundamentally unlawful been, since 1967, successfully steering the takeover of Palestinian settlement enterprise, the Court waffled. But when it comes to sanctioning land throughout the West Bank. and facilitating the occupation, the Court has been most obliging. Therefore, Over the years, various techniques have been perfected so as to proponents of dispossessing Palestinians ought to applaud it, not clamor for provide the legal basis for this land grab, which is being skillfully a bulldozer to raze it – as suggested a few months ago by MK Yogev (Jewish promoted by all organs of the state. This has enabled Israel to achieve, Home). Over the years the Court has increasingly moved away from basic apart from the dispossession itself, two other secondary but crucial principles of justice and fairness and has become, in itself, a major organ of goals: soothing its conscience and preventing international sanctions. the occupation. Acting out of fear, myopia, and lack of legal integrity, the High While some measures adopted by the Civil Administration, the Court has harmed not only Palestinians but also its self-avowed character. Defense Ministry, the planning authorities, the Ministry of Housing, The “Regulation Bill” does no more than expand on a longstanding tradition; and the Settlement Division, among others, have been challenged and for that, the justices of the High Court can blame no one but themselves. on occasion by petitions to the High Court of Justice, the Court has Supporters of the Amona settlers often cite the claim of reliance (on largely managed to comply with the state’s wishes. Israel has been government promises) as an argument in their favor, whereas opponents carrying out this massive land grab in plain view, as an explicit act of note that orders to dismantle the settlement outpost were issued very early state, for almost 50 years. on. This may be an important argument on the formalistic level of the law. But Consequently, the latest fighting match unfolding before us is not worth what about the heart of the matter? About the essence of the law? In practice, getting worked up over. In one corner of the ring stand those who are these orders lie unenforced for years, while the spirit of dispossession by the more than happy to have dispossession in the West Bank carry on state has thrived and flourished for half a century. It is this spirit that funds, as it has for years. In this corner are the ones who gobble up “state supports, promotes, and celebrates taking over “Arabs’ land.” Quibbling over land” – were you aware that we decided that, in Palestine, “state” the fine print with the settlers of Amona – and of other settlements – “just” actually means Israel? – with a generous sprinkling of firing zones, because they did not distinguish public Arab land from private Arab land? frequent military training, nature reserves, bypass roads, and denied Seriously; for as far as the state is concerned, they are one and the same: master plans. In the opposite corner, stand those with an appetite Arabs are Arabs and their land is ours to hold. unsated by all the above: they crave even more, hankering after the privately owned lands of the Palestinian people. Hagai El-Ad is executive director of B’Tselem, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories. 28 29 In a context of prolonged occupation in which the existence and desirability of one, two, or even three states will continue to be debated in the foreseeable When up to 95 percent future, a conception in which a state of cases involve Towards a New would have an absolute monopoly informal actors, they can over justice on all citizens and for all no longer be ignored. types of offences is neither realistic nor States that once Legitimacy desirable.ii A more modern conception overlooked or combated of justice is, paradoxically, found in customary judges are the way Palestinian communities have now training them as always dealt with problems in their alternative dispute- Informal Justice midst: informal or customary justice.iii resolution experts or arbitrators. Counter- For centuries, communities have intuitively, trained Actors in the State brought cases of children in conflict traditional actors can be with the law to the people they trust: one of the most modern mukhtars, the equivalent of mayors, and ways of dealing with islah men, the people of reconciliation. children in conflict with of Palestine Of note, the act of “reconciling” is not the law. done exclusively by men. Today with the help of UNDP, UNICEF, and our local

By Joseph Aguettant

Terre des hommes colleague was visiting a Global South country some years back, when he received a wake-up call that he remembers to this day. As he was explaining the importance of alternatives to detention for young people who offend, a local judge responded: “We know what alternatives to detention are, our wise men have been doing it for A centuries. In fact they predate the arrival of Europeans who established the first prisons here.” Blushing face emoticon. As a Swiss organization that strives to keep a humble and neutral perspective, we wonder whether, in the face of rising criminality amongst young Palestinians, it would not be better to invest in local conflict-resolution mechanisms that have existed from time immemorial than to build more “Juvees” (detention facilities for youth) and rehabilitation centers? The twentieth century has brought tremendous progress in terms of rule of law, standards setting, and institutionalization of justice, but it ended with the realization that the notion of monopoly of justice has limits. Confronted with high delinquency rates, state justice often struggles to render justice promptly and effectively. It still functions, for the most part, under an old paradigm in which retributive justice and detention are the default position. More delinquency means more prisons.i Other approaches are possible and might prove more Artwork by Mohammad Joulani. successful. 30 31 allies, “islah women” are coming to that it is necessarily good for children. to community?” local experts answered light. We have mapped forty of them in To examine the extent of appropriate yes (25 percent), partially (57 percent), the Gaza Strip alone. It is exciting to be outcomes in such intervention, Terre and no (18 percent). working with female leaders who have des hommes (Tdh) has collected At first glance, IJS performance may the well-being and protection of girls a huge amount of qualitative and appear wholly insufficient: informal Firsthand quantitative and boys at heart. quantitative information. Research actors are performing well in between was first conducted on informal justice data sheds light on As for the state officials we meet a quarter and a third of cases while we the dilemma whether and work with (police officers, social in cases dealing with children in the aim at 100 percent positive outcomes Hebron governorate.iv Subsequently, Tdh informal justice actors workers, prosecutors, and judges), for children. However, these figures put make decisions in they seem to rely on an informal justice embarked on an ambitious, longitudinal an end to the assertion that informal v the best interests of system (IJS) and most of them cannot data collection drive. An analysis of actors would be systematically violating 228 cases collected in Gaza between children. Preliminary imagine a world without mukhtars and child rights, or that they would be analysis suggests that islah men and women. A symbiotic January and November 2016 revolved inherently bad. Our thinking towards around three questions. First: “Were the lower the matter, relationship has emerged between them needs to evolve. Instead of the most likely it is for state and non-state actors. Children the terms of the outcome reasonable patronizing informal actors we need and proportionate to the dispute?” In the decision to be in get released from detention the minute to fully engage with them, identify the best interests of the their families produce sulh papers, our assessment this was fully the case role models, help them cut down for 37 percent of entries, 42 percent child. Half of decisions namely reconciliation documents. It on discrimination against girls, and (50 percent) in personal- takes on average a week for informal partially and 21 percent not the case. gain full legitimacy. Above all, they The second question, “Did the outcome status disputes were actors to bring about a solution between need to work in sync with the formal found to be fully or disputing parties. meet the needs and contribute to system and stop adjudicating criminal rehabilitation of the children?” showed partially in the best The prevalence and effectiveness of this matters. As per the Juvenile Protection interests of children, a 23 percent prevalence of “yes,” 57 Law 2016, they can only mediate in informal system, which according to percent “partially,” and 19 percent “no.” whereas decisions our calculations can deal with up to 95 misdemeanor and minor offences but dealing with crimes such To the third question: “Did the process have a vital role in avoiding detention percent of cases in Gaza, does not mean contribute to reparation of harm done as sexual assault (41.7 of children. percent) and fights (34.8 percent) were less likely to be appropriate.

Detention is almost always a trauma for a child and a “school of crime.” Informal justice and mediation is one of the most efficient ways to avoid detention. © Terre des hommes 2016. Photo by Sharif Sarhan. I mentioned the blushing face of a colleague who received a stark reminder of local wisdom. We must learn the lesson and systematically look for local answers without romanticizing them. Looking forward, we believe it will not take long before informal actors are recognized globally as key components of any child-friendly justice system. When that happens, the State of Palestine will be seen as a model to follow. Disbelief emoticon?

Joseph Aguettant is the Country Representative of Terre des hommes Foundation in Palestine. A lawyer by training, Mr. Aguettant has over 20 years of experience across a range of protection issues, including Justice for Children. He is a senior fellow with the Centre for Children, Law 32 33 and Ethics, Cumberland Law School, Acknowledgements Samford University, United States. Mr. The author of this article would like to Aguettant graduated with distinction from University of Paris (DESS in Public acknowledge the invaluable contribution International Law) and University of of the Tdh team in Palestine, in particular Geneva (CAS). Dr. Khitam Abu Hamad’s analysis, without which this article would not have been possible. He is indebted to Kristen Hope and Yann Colliou for their leadership of the informal justice systems innovation.

Informal Justice System actor, a Mukhtar, and children interacting at Yes Theatre, Hebron. © Terre des hommes 2016.

i This article does not deal with the issue of children (sometimes as young as nine) who are arrested by Israeli forces. It focuses on children in conflict with Palestinian law, arrested by Palestinian police. ii One could argue that in a context where existing state structures are weakened by the occupation and struggling daily to carry out their mandates, state structures should be further reinforced. This is a fact. Seeking hybridity between formal and informal components will reinforce state structures. The idea of a “hybrid” model for justice is borrowed from Ali Wardak and John Braithwaite’s work in Afghanistan, which represents a synergy between state and non-state justice systems and human rights institutions, with well-established checks and balances. See Wardak, A., Braithwaite, J. (2013). “Crime and War in Afghanistan. Part II: A Jeffersonian Alternative?” British Journal of Criminology, 53, p. 179–214 iii Informal justice refers to the resolution of disputes and the regulation of conduct by adjudication or with the assistance of a neutral third party that is not part of the judiciary as established by law and whose substantive, procedural, or structural foundation is not primarily based on statutory law. iv Terre des Hommes, Children in Conflict with the Law and Informal Justice System in Hebron Governorate, 2013, 54 p. v In accordance with Tdh’s institutional policies, all activities with children strictly adhere to the highest ethical principles of child protection, namely: obtain informed consent; do no harm; guard confidentiality; and secure provision of support. All cases of children collected were anonymous, no names were recorded. 34 This model of a One- Stop Center is designed to facilitate immediate access to critical-care services for survivors The One-Stop of violence in the immediate aftermath of their trauma. It co- Center locates staff from these services in one location so that a A Palestinian Initiative victim of violence does not bounce between to Protect Women and a police station, a health care center, a Children Victims of Violence prosecutor’s interview room, a social worker’s office, and various NGOs looking for help. It also provides a temporary 24-hour safe place to stay, if needed. By Bisan Mousa and Ana Lukatela Artwork by Abdel Nasser Amer, Gaza.

e stole all our hopes. And those who claimed they are helping us – the women’s organization, the prison, and the shelter – they all Key guidelines for establishing and running one-stop failed to understand the meaning of life without any hope. He killed centers. us alive [the rapist], and no one was able to punish him – no police, • All service providers should receive specialized no prosecutor, no Ministry of Justice or Ministry of Social Affairs.” training in working with women and children victims “H Alia, 23 years old, a young woman from the West Bank who survived of sexual and physical violence. 1 a sexual assault alongside her sister, 2013. • A protocol should be developed among the various A woman who has just survived a sexual or physical assault is dealing service providers to determine a set of procedures with extreme trauma. Yet, everywhere in the world, sexual and physical for supporting victims. violence against women is one of the most under-reported types of • Tight safety and security measures should be crime. Women would rather hide the crime they have experienced put in place to ensure victim safety and prevent than come into contact with a justice system that they fear will make perpetrators from accessing the center. them relive the trauma of their attack or even victimize them again. On an annual basis, approximately 3,000 cases of violence against • Privacy, confidentiality, and dignity for victims women are reported to the Family and Juvenile Protection Units of should be ensured as well as the secure the Palestinian Civil Police. The percentage of women who report management of records. having experienced domestic violence amounts in the West Bank to • Community dialogue and outreach activities should 30 percent of women who are or have been married, and in Gaza this be developed in partnership with civil society to number reaches even 51 percent.2 provide the wider population with information about The Palestinian Government is currently establishing a new model the purpose of the center, available services, and to provide protection, privacy, and dignity to women and children access. who have experienced violence. This model is a center staffed by • Commitment should be secured from the specially trained police officers (including female police officers), institutional stakeholders for the center to be social workers, and specialized NGOs providing care to victims. The sustained and financed over the longer term. center also has specialized prosecutors, nurses, and doctors on call at all times. 36 37 The second component refers to a joint Under the UN Women/UNDP Joint understanding of the model among all Programme for Strengthening the Rule stakeholders at the national level. This of Law in Palestine (SAWASYA), UN requires a policy framework (possibly Women and UNDP are supporting a through signing memorandums of number of efforts by the Palestinian understanding) at the national level government in the security and justice between key stakeholders and specific sectors, including operationalizing the facility-level standard operating One-Stop Center model. An existing procedures to ensure that the role of building in Ramallah is being refurbished each service provider is clear, that for this purpose and will be administered coordination is well defined, and by the Family and Juvenile Protection that existing protocols ensure that Unit. The building will include a private infrastructure is maintained and that it reception area, a comfortable room for supports integration and linkages in a specialized police officers to support sustainable manner. victims and take statements, a medical The third component critical to success exam room, 24-hour accommodation is the ongoing capacity development of for both male and female on-call all service providers within the One-Stop service providers, as well as 24-hour Center. Staff must receive continuous emergency accommodation for women specialized training to examine their and children victims, a lounge room, own attitudes and behaviors towards a play area for children, offices, an the vulnerable women and children who interview room with video-recording use the center’s services; to adopt a facilities for use of prosecutors, and coordinated and holistic approach; and comfortable rooms for counseling to harmonize a monitoring system that sessions and legal aid provision. is also confidential and ethical following UN Women and UNDP congratulate the collection of data. government stakeholders on their commitment towards making this model Artwork by Asma Ghanem. Courtesy of Filistin Ashabab. The Palestinian government has significant accomplishments of a reality and ensuring that Palestinian cooperation and coordination at the women and children who are victims To provide expertise, support, and For the One-Stop Center to achieve its of violence have a positive experience monitoring requires a high level of goals, there are three key components national policy level to combat violence against women upon which to build in their point of first contact with the coordination and cooperation between that need to be addressed: sufficient justice system and that no woman ever the relevant government agencies that resources must be invested for a functioning One-Stop Center: the national referral system for women again comes into contact with all these include the Palestinian Civil Police, successful functioning; a policy stakeholders without experiencing the the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of framework must be signed at the victims of violence (Takamol); the National Committee to Combat Violence understanding, support, and sympathy Social Development, and the Attorney national level between key stakeholders; that Alia and her sister deserved. General’s Office, as well as the close and the service providers within the against Women; the national strategy to combat violence against women; involvement of civil society. Civil society center must have ongoing specialized Bisan Abu Roqti Mousa is the Women is also a critical link to the national training. the new juvenile protection law; the draft family protection law; the Mehwar and Women’s Security Analyst at UN referral system for victims to ensure Women and UNDP Joint Programme Regarding the first component, the shelter run by the Ministry of Social that once the woman leaves the One- relevant agencies have to show of SAWASYA. Stop Center, which was her point of first Development; and the serious case commitment to secure the required review mechanism for examining the contact with the justice system, she Ana Lukatela holds a PhD in political financial, material, and human handling by all relevant agencies of has a clear plan in place for the longer resources, and secure co-location and science and is currently the Protection term, whether that involves taking her cases of violence against women that Specialist in the UN Women Palestine on-call availability. This requires senior- tragically result in death. Country Office. case forward in the justice chain, a level political will within the relevant longer stay at one of the Palestinian agencies and ministries regarding the anti-violence shelters, or a care plan for model that the center represents and 1 psychosocial counseling and vocational UN Women, Access Denied: Palestinian Women’s Access to Justice in the West Bank of the occupied an understanding of its importance for Palestinian territory, available at http://palestine.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2014/12/access- training to support her to get back on victims and of the role of the justice denied. her feet and achieve independence for system as a service provider. 2 Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, Press Release: Main Findings of Violence Survey in Palestinian Society, herself and her children. 2011, available at http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/PressRelease/el3onf2011_E.pdf. 38 39 PMF plays a vital role in following up on the enforcement of maintenance and child support payments from parents who are delinquent due to reluctance towards or evasion of payment as a According to Shari’a law, The Palestinian result of judgment, travel abroad, or maintenance is defined the lack of a clear residential address. as “the sufficient As an external, public-sphere power provision of the ordinary Maintenance that has sufficient mandate to intervene needs for food, clothing, within the private sphere, PMF obliges housing, and utilities.” delinquent parties to pay maintenance Based on the Jordanian by exercising lawful authority powers Personal Status Law of Fund on those convicted. It operates by 1976, wives, children, enforcing imprisonment orders and parents, and relatives are entitled to receive Providing Immediate maintenance. Access to Justice

Fatmeh Muaqqat*

The Palestinian Maintenance Fund empowered me and restored my dignity after years of battles. Let him handle the financial burdens, be in debt to the state, hide from police cars, and feel the pain and injustice he had inflicted on me.” Accountability and protection are two crucial, interrelated points for T beneficiaries of the Palestinian Maintenance Fund (PMF) who are seeking access to justice. PMF has been legally mandated to cover maintenance cases that are not dealt with at family courts where maintenance cases are generally allocated payment entitlements and duties. Maintenance is considered a “public fund of higher privilege” by the law that holds the liable parent responsible for filling the maintenance rights of their wives and children, as well as relatives and parents who are disabled, unable to work, or need maintenance. Maintenance plays a crucial role in the personal-status cases of a significant segment of the community, and it serves beneficiaries who are in dire need of financial support. Acknowledging this situation, the legislator has given such cases preferential urgency, e.g., the enforcement of family court decisions regarding maintenance is by law considered to require immediate action; it does not need to wait for the normal litigation procedures that can prolong enforcement while the cases are before the courts. YAYA 2012. Artwork by Shada Safadi. Courtesy of Filistin Ashabab. 40 41 travel bans, and by seizing assets needs of beneficiaries, thus sparing husbands’ states of mind and lack of through legal action in partnership with them the humiliation of hardship and responsibility towards them and their the courts, the police, the monetary destitution. Furthermore, it raises children. Thus, the fund has managed authority, the ministries of interior, the voices of beneficiary groups and to retain women’s dignity despite the economy, transportation, and local maintains their representation in the psychological, social, and economic Women are attaining governance, the land authority, and plans, policies, programs, and activities hardships that they face when living their fair rights of other official bodies. These partnerships of both formal and informal institutions. with the stigma of being a divorcee or maintenance and underpin the effectiveness of PMF PMF partnerships include, in addition to deserted wife in an Arab-Palestinian respect. Becoming in claiming the resources to which the abovementioned, the ministries of society that paints women as the aware of their legal vulnerable parties are entitled. However, health and social development, and civil reason behind divorce or desertion and economic rights such enforcement does not always run society institutions, as well as private- or considers them to be prey that is has empowered smoothly. In many cases, convicts sector institutions and individuals in easily manipulated because they carry many of them to become enraged by the fact that a order to enable beneficiaries to expand the burden of having to support their negotiate and change public body of authority is intervening their choices and control. children and meet their basic needs. their life conditions by challenging the in their own private lives. Ensuring accountability and protection A number of developmental and social obstacles they face Therefore, PMF operates with a has re-established a sense of dignity institutions do not include on their and making better life comprehensive understanding of with all beneficiary groups, especially agendas any vision to support these choices. Beneficiaries protection that goes beyond monthly women. PMF has managed to exercise marginalized women, justifying their have used this maintenance payment. It utilizes an influence and control over current lack of action by the fact that the current knowledge and status integrated approach that aims to or former husbands on behalf of or former husbands are still alive. as a bargaining tool to fill the practical, economic, legal, women who had been vulnerable for Maintenance enforcement is at best get their divorce papers. psychological, and social-services prolonged periods, at the mercy of their achieved in 18 percent of cases, which These women now stand on a higher pedestal than their current or former husbands.

© Shareef Sarhan for UNDP/PAPP. 42 43 means that 82 percent of cases are in order to ensure that nobody evade not enforced, the majority of which court decisions, particularly regarding involve children. The process of seeking maintenance payments. PMF is justice for persons who are entitled looking forward to building further to maintenance is made difficult by partnerships to better provide legal aid a number of complex issues, some and representation, and ensure that of which are due to a patriarchal the rights of marginalized groups are grip on vulnerable groups within the protected; in particular, for individuals private space of Palestinian society who face difficult circumstances that and exacerbated by unfair policies and otherwise would prevent them from legislation. Living under an occupation seeking justice. PMF engages in the force that controls rule of law and relentless pursuit to provide services deprives the state of capable law that enable beneficiaries to participate enforcement tools and bodies adds to in public life and expand their options the difficulties, affecting predominantly to build a future with their children, in persons who live in Area C, holders of spite of the occupation and the control Israeli identity cards (as the State of exerted by a patriarchal culture. Palestine has no sovereignty over Israeli ID card holders who are considered Fatmeh Muaqqat is a lawyer and outside the mandate of the Palestinian feminist researcher in gender studies law), and foreign women or men with a master’s degree in law, married to holders of Palestinian IDs. women, and development from Birzeit Further challenges relate to human University. She represents the State of and material resources. Even though Palestine at the legal unit in the Arab the law stipulates immediate action Women’s Organization, co-founded the Palestinian Maintenance Fund, in maintenance cases, the reality is where she currently serves as general different and long litigation processes manager, and has championed and stretch the financial capabilities or do lobbied for the adoption of numerous not take into consideration the privacy laws and measures to combat violence of women and family in many cases; against women in the State of Palestine. court clerks frequently consider women The Palestinian Maintenance Fund inferior; lawyers request high fees; (PMF) works to assure legal, free-of-charge legal aid is not provided economic, and psychological safety in personal-status matters such as a for marginalized groups. It carries divorce case; a general weakness in out its responsibilities as a public the enforcement of court decisions institution of political will in accordance prevails; and a civil registry with with international treaties to which the demographic information on citizens State of Palestine has acceded, namely and their properties (movable and the Convention on the Elimination of immovable) is lacking. These factors All Forms of Discrimination against work in favor of persons who want Women (CEDAW) and Security Council to evade their responsibilities and Resolution 1325. PMF operates as flee justice, and hinder the ability to a financially independent institution prosecute convicts by law. and applies complex bureaucratic The effort of guaranteeing the dignity procedures to ensure that the payment and preventing the destitution of of maintenance for beneficiaries is marginalized groups requires more than sustainable, thus guaranteeing their the building of effective partnerships or dignity and preventing destitution. efforts to contribute to legislation and policies. For instance, a civil registry *Translated from Arabic by Alice within an integrated national system Yousef. of accountability should be developed

44 and as we mainstreamed gender within the institution, we similarly worked for our recognition. During my first three years as the head Women represent about of the Gender Unit – simultaneously 3.7 percent of the staff Navigating continuing to assume my of the Palestinian Civil responsibilities in the public relations Police Force. department – I had to move around with my computer, without a proper Gender in the office. Trying to foster cooperation and coordination with more than 24 departments, I faced at first resistance Five years later, I can proudly say that and incomprehension. Surprisingly, the efforts have paid off, and we have Police Force biggest challenge was to overcome set an example. As we have tirelessly the entrenched idea that there was raised awareness, a door at a time, no existing discrimination against within the institution and in society, gender in the police. To bring about the concept has taken roots. In this the recognition of gender differences endeavor, the commitment of the PCP and gender-related obstacles was a leadership was key. The establishment first step, and not an easy one, as it of a Gender Steering Committee in By Wafaa Alhussein demanded rethinking our work and 2013 – composed of the deputy’s how we were delivering our services to heads of key PCP departments – helped the people we were assigned to serve. to institutionalize our work and bring a

© Ahed Izhiman for UNDP/PAPP. ender is a singular concept, newly talked about, often misunderstood, and frequently resisted. Proponents connect it with social relations and women’s rights; some criticize it as a Western concept. G Having worked for five years as the head of the Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) Gender Unit, and therefore in charge of mainstreaming gender in the police departments, policies, and mechanisms, I would not be able to recount the many times I had to address misperceptions of the “gender concept” and remind people that gender is not only about women, but also about male, female, girls, and boys; or that more women officers are needed not for dealing only with women but for the benefit of better serving the society. The internal shift towards change started when Major General Hazem Attalah decided in 2011 to establish a gender unit. As any new process, it needed to progressively take root until eventually it was perceived as an asset to and by the security sector. Changing perceptions and removing barriers in integrating gender in our work was our mandate as gender unit,

46 47 police facilities and policies so that women remain working in the field and are able to grow throughout their police career, to training staff The gender unit within to better understand and integrate the Palestinian police gender equality principles in their force has been working work, the gender strategy proposes for five years to raise a comprehensive and innovative awareness of gender action framework that will consolidate issues and the necessity our past years’ efforts into durable to have policewomen achievements. The participation of on duty. There remains the various PCP departments and a much work to be done, number of civil-society organizations but initial success is and governmental stakeholders in the visible as the unit now development process is also a clear employs 3 staff at the indication of this level of understanding police headquarters and a promising sign as we move and 11 coordinators, © Ahed Izhiman for UNDP/PAPP. towards implementation. including both males Standing as the only woman and females, in dynamic that can no longer be reversed. always thinking of the need for more representing police at the 35th governorates, with Our small unit also expanded, with 3 women or of their specific needs as Conference of the Arab Police Chiefs the last one added in staff now at the police headquarters police officers. PCP is now carefully in Beirut in 2012, I felt proud to work November 2016 at the and 11 coordinators, both males and considering women in replacement for an institution that values women Police Academy in females, in governorates, with the last positions or more practically in the as police officers. It led me to reflect Jericho. one added in November 2016 at the design of the uniform. The evolution on a journey that started in 1994 with Police Academy in Jericho. of mentalities, both in the police force the establishment of policewomen to The change has not been only internal. and in society, have together brought where we are today: an institution that As we pushed for a greater integration about a new image of the police. In promotes women as equal partners justice, ensuring respect of human of the concept of gender in the police the recent recruitment process, PCP with men with similar capabilities and rights, and strengthening the rule of force, we also contributed to positively received more than 200 applications skills to carry out the work and together law in the State of Palestine. change the image of the police in from women. We would have been improve the efficiency and quality of communities. People and organizations lucky to have ten a few years ago. services. And as we are raising the Major Wafaa Alhussein is the head of used to feel surprised and afraid when We have not worked alone in this. The level and quality of services, we know the gender unit at the Palestinian Civil I contacted them to meet and discuss establishment of the Family Protection that we directly contribute to enhancing Police Force. cooperation. Today, they are the ones and Juveniles Unit, the Grievances who contact us so that we can work Office, and recently the Community together. Through our outreach to Police all testify to an overall change communities, we have also brought in the police force towards the highest the police closer to the people, who quality and effectiveness of service have a better understanding of our delivery to the population and greater mandate and who can put a face to credibility among citizens. the institution. I will be honest. There are still many Still, talking about gender is a lot challenges and a lot to do, but we see about women. Women represent more opportunities than obstacles about 3.7 percent of the staff of now. The recent development has PCP. While this is still low, the rate is been augmented by the adoption of increasing. Families tend to be reluctant a gender strategy as a significant to see their daughters join the police step in providing a concrete tool to force, perceiving it as a masculine institutionalize gender in the work of environment. Today, I have families the police. From increasing the rate contacting me, asking me to recruit of women in PCP to 7 percent, to their daughters. The police were not assessing the gender-sensitivity of © Ahed Izhiman for UNDP/PAPP. 48 49 Selected International Conventions on Juvenile Justice Juvenile Justice The United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the in the Gaza Strip Administration of Juvenile Justice (Beijing Rules, 1984) Ways to Improve outline evaluative policies for juveniles and focus on the Current Situation the procedures of investigation, prosecution, and rehabilitation of juveniles. The United Nations Guidelines for the By Iyad Abu Hjayer Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (Riyadh Guidelines, 1990) focus on the preventive here is no doubt that juvenile delinquency exists in all societies, yet at side and consider different and varying levels. Its scope, however, depends on several factors, upbringing in their prominent among them the social and economic conditions under which recommendations the juveniles are living.i Unfortunately, there exists no actual treatment for on social policy, this phenomenon, which could be implemented either by the government legislation, T or civil-society organizations. management of juvenile justice, The Rabi’a Institution, run by the Ministry of Social Affairs, is the only place and the required in the Gaza Strip that is authorized to detain juveniles. It receives about measurements to 800 juveniles annually and houses about 40 juveniles at any given time; protect juveniles who however, the number may reach up to 60. As such overcrowding exceeds have been neglected the capacity of Rabi’a, it also affects the various reform programs that are and mistreated or are held inside the institution and in which the juveniles take part until they are considered endangered set free. Furthermore, the institution suffers logistical difficulties, mainly with or at social risk. regards to the vocational rehabilitation of its staff. The UN Convention on Despite the remarkable developments that have been witnessed recently in the Rights of the Child the field of juvenile justice (JJ) in the Gaza Strip, the work is still incomplete (1989) set forth specific and needs more coordination. More effort are required within the community, guidelines on how to taking into account the best interest of juveniles who have been victims of deal with delinquents tough social and economic circumstances. Setting up a juvenile court in and how to provide the Rabi’a Institution was the most significant development in this regard. for their protection; it The official opening of Rabi’a was on June 25, 2014, and to date, 14 court paved the way for a sessions have been held with the presence of probation officers from various comprehensive policy human rights organizations. regarding juvenile Furthermore, resolutions issued by the attorney general in 2013 and 2014 justice. have contributed to an improvement of the policies applied in JJ. Such policies © Ahed Izhiman for UNDP/PAPP. 50 51 Juvenile Justice Laws Applicable in the Gaza Strip Juveniles Offenders Law (1937) Juveniles Procedure Law (1938) Criminal Procedures Law No. 3 (2001)

order to promote best practice in juvenile justice and to ensure that children who are in direct contact with the law and legal procedures are protected and follow-up is provided at all stages of the procedures involved. This vision is based on essential and general principles of juvenile justice and includes the following ten points. 1. A juvenile justice specialization in the official authorities must be adopted. This would include a specialized judiciary for juveniles along with specialized juvenile prosecution and police units. All these bodies together should constitute the formal structure for every system, taking into Photography and Video art 2000 - 2012. Artwork by Mohamed Harb. Courtesy of Filistin Ashabab. include, first, that a juvenile is arrested only individual parties in order to ensure access account the continuous rehabilitation training, education, and counseling if all attempts at an amicable and restorative to justice for juveniles. and development of the workers of all in addition to recreational and sports solution have failed; second, that a juvenile Juvenile police officers have recently these specializations in accordance with programs. Such an approach would must not be arrested for committing a minor been appointed in every police station in the best interest of juveniles. make the best of juvenile detention by crime; and third, that any interrogation must line with a decision taken by the police 2. Alternatives to detention for juveniles providing individuals with life skills and be carried out in the presence of a probation chief. While this is an important step in must be approved. Experts ought to endowing them with an education and officer whose report must be attached to the right direction, it is still insufficient. A put forward an integrated concept, with a variety of vocational skills. the juvenile’s file when submitted before the fully-fledged Juvenile Police Unit should be based on regional and international 5. Follow-up care must be given to court. Also, police officers are allowed to instated within the structure of the police experience in this field, in order to make juveniles after releasing them from make contact with informal justice actors, to assure that a juvenile police officer detention the last step of punishment. detention. Supervision must be given such as mukhtars or islah men or women,* is present during all shifts in all police These alternatives could lie in social and that takes into consideration all the so as to release the juvenile without stations. community work. necessary precautions to guarantee referring him/her to public prosecution. In the judiciary, a judge was assigned to 3. A juvenile court should be activated that they live their lives safely and do A Juvenile Justice Committee (JJC) was hear juvenile cases. However, more efforts and the court parties must coordinate not commit more felonies or require formed in 2013 in Gaza, coordinated by should be made to establish a specialized regular trials, to be held at least twice further detention. the Palestinian Center for Democracy judiciary within the current judicial system a month. This step would reduce the 6. The role of reconciliation committees and Conflict Resolution (PCDCR), which in order to assure that the best interest of length of juvenile detention, alleviate and mukhtars should be promoted, oversees and coordinates the committee’s juveniles is taken into account during both the overcrowding of juvenile detention and such persons should be trained works. JJC includes most of the official arrest and trial. centers, and allow for juvenile trials and their skills improved in order to and non-official concerned parties in the before a specialized court in accordance allow them not only to better identify field, such as the Ministry of Social Affairs, Based on the experience gained in the field of juvenile justice, and aiming to achieve with the law. the needs of juveniles but also to find the judiciary, prosecutors, police, reform appropriate retributive solutions that committees, and Terre des hommes (Tdh)- the best interest of children as offenders, 4. Investment must be made in the juvenile victims, or witnesses, a vision is suggested reform program of Rabi’a Institution. fall within the rule of law and justice Switzerland. The committee periodically standards. meets to coordinate the efforts of the with steps that should be implemented in This program must offer vocational

52 53 Artwork by May Murad. Courtesy of Filistin Ashabab.

7. Civil-society institutions should regularly The juveniles who end up in the juvenile contribute to the development of the justice system are the outcome of such juvenile justice sector by providing difficult living conditions that the state legal and social help, and by supporting should take on its shoulder the responsibility juveniles after they have been set free. of guiding and protecting them, enabling 8. Juvenile legislation and policies must them to engage again with the community be constantly developed. A new juvenile and society. We have two choices: to law was issued in the West Bank in invest in these kids to help them survive, 2016, but it is not applied in the Gaza develop their full potential, and increase Strip. However, it is possible to agree their future prospects; or to leave them upon general principles in order to apply behind and recognize that by doing so, our this law in the Gaza Strip and propose communities will pay a higher price. It’s a policies that would improve juvenile matter of justice. justice. Iyad Abu Hjayer is deputy chairman of 9. Oversight must be activated and its tools the Palestinian Center for Democracy strengthened to ensure juvenile justice and Conflict Resolution (PCDCR) in accordance with the law. office in the Gaza Strip. He has been working in humanitarian development 10. Rabi’a Institution must be developed for more than 15 years and has made to make it more of an educational significant contributions to various and rehabilitative institution than a projects related to juveniles’ access to place of detention. To this end, the justice and child protection in the Gaza methods of dealing with juveniles Strip. Mr. Hjayer is currently enrolled in should be changed and financial Al-Quds University, where he pursues support provided. a master’s degree in political science.

* For more information, please refer to the article on informal justice in this issue. i A juvenile is defined as the age of responsibility, normally between the ages of 10 and 18. 54 56 57 Steps toward Justice The Pro Bono Culture in the State of Palestine

By Alice S. Yousef

lmost ten minutes late to my meeting, I arrive at the Palestinian Bar Association to find Ms. Aslan waiting for me. She gets up to greet me as I mumble several apologies for my unprecedented delay and shake her hand. “Hana Aslan, lawyer at the North Governorates, pleased to meet you.” Artwork by Mohammad Joulani. Many Palestinians A Sitting down with a glass of tea, Aslan tells me she has been an active are not able to afford participant in the pro bono scheme, spreading cultural awareness on and university legal aid clinics. To assure lawyer fees to defend legal aid for a little over six months, and “never been busier.” Like many a feasible approach, a roster has been their cases. Under of her colleagues, Aslan is mining fresh ground in her legal practice. opened for registration of volunteer its pro bono scheme Pro bono legal work is the provision of free legal aid services to those lawyers and case assignment is made that provides legal unable to afford lawyer fees for services provided. The concept is not accordingly. Per strategy, field lawyers aid, the Palestinian new to the Palestinian Bar Association, nor is it new to Palestinian civil- and the central unit provide free legal Bar Association has society organizations; both have been providing services per internal consultation and legal representation received 113 requests bylaws and case specialization (respectively), yet there is still much services to the most vulnerable members for legal aid services more work to be done. of the Palestinian population, with special by beneficiaries who As of late 2015, the Palestinian Bar Association has been engaged in focus on women, juveniles, and children. are unable to afford continuous consultations in order to finalize the drafting of its Legal Aid To date, the central unit and its supporting those fees. 100 lawyers Strategy. This strategy, now effective and approved, established a central lawyers have received requests for 113 have signed on to legal aid unit at the Bar Association’s headquarters in Ramallah, while cases of criminal justice legal aid that take pro bono cases facilitators and field legal aid lawyers work in the three main Palestinian have included both misdemeanors and in accordance with governorates: north, center, and south. Evidently, this strategy is the felonies. There are currently 100 pro a case attribution first coordinated national approach and promises a system of case bono lawyers registered at the roster to mechanism managed selection and referral that strives to support vulnerable groups. The serve such cases. by the Palestinian Bar Palestinian Bar Association cooperates in this endeavor hand in hand Hana Aslan is a little different from her Association. with its national counterparts: ministries, civil-society organizations, fellow colleagues. In addition to running

58 59 her private practice, she has been the pro bono cases they had taken actively supporting the pro bono scheme on. Now, the new system is allowing since the central unit began working documentation through case forms in June 2016. Aslan oversees cases presented to roster lawyers. Concern has and provides services to the northern been expressed regarding the risk posed governorates, with clients coming from to the prospective impact it may have Nablus, Tulkarem, Jenin, Tubas, and on lawyers’ income, particularly should Qalqilya. These duties leave her days caseload be allocated unequally, or packed with cases, a process that is should minimum qualification criteria not nothing short of challenging since Aslan be respected. Indeed, the system requires has directly and indirectly been working thoughtful and systematic management, on culture change as well. including of the nature of qualifications Despite the high level of education among of lawyers who provide specialized the population in the State of Palestine, services. The process of consultations the public remains thirsty for awareness and indeed the development itself of the and knowledge regarding legal matters, PBA’s pro bono and legal aid strategies and many persons require legal aid. This have helped broaden understanding poses challenges for various reasons, and support amongst lawyers for this most of them being cultural: Raising important societal contribution which awareness of rights tends to encourage in no small way encourages faith in the demand for those rights – be it the the justice system and deters vigilante satisfaction of financial rights, the request action. In addition, the Palestinian Bar for independence, or entreaties for Association offers incentives to lawyers, security rights – and such demands are including an annual award for outstanding often seen as a form of rebellion that may pro bono service, publication of case disrupt the normal course of life in many studies on various websites, and social families. In addition, many marginalized media acknowledgment. groups in society lack access to formal Hana and others are fostering positive education or the resources necessary culture change in encouraging both to be able to afford them. Furthermore, volunteer service provision of lawyers many of the beneficiaries are too young, in cases of need, and fostering trust scared, or embarrassed to ask for legal and confidence in the nature of the aid, fearing that it might harm their support offered by the system. Aslan’s already susceptible circumstance or beneficiaries report satisfaction with the induce friction in their social and family services with which they are provided contexts. Aslan tells me that she has through their demands for help with been facing these very challenges with non-criminal cases. Here, Aslan and her day-to-day work, particularly with her colleagues refer beneficiaries to women. Many women still shy away partner governmental or civil-society from the legal system for familial or organizations that are able to help when social reasons. Knowing that a female she cannot. How does she do it all? “On lawyer will take up their case makes a part-time basis, one governorate at it easier for women beneficiaries to a time.” approach the legal system and helps them (re)gain trust in the lawyers and in This initiative was supported with the system itself. funding by the European Union under the “Building a Sustainable Legal Aid The culture of volunteerism is a double- System in Palestine” Project. Alice S. edged sword, Aslan confesses. The Yousef is a certified legal translator who process of introducing a pro bono is currently serving as a United Nations scheme was not easy on the lawyers Volunteer with the Sawasya UNDP/UN themselves. Accustomed to their routine Women Rule of Law programme. She caseload, lawyers rarely documented tweets @aliceyousef.

60 over a decade exert an additional toll, the sum of which impacts gravely on Palestinians’ political, economic, social, and cultural rights. Those denied in Gaza are extremely basic – movement, travel, The rights situation in work, education, health, and life itself. the Gaza Strip continues Several Violators, In addition, the economy is subjected to deteriorate under to wide-ranging security restrictions the now-decade-long imposed without substantiation by Israeli blockade. Political Only One Victim Israel, severely impeding the growth and actors, duty bearers, development of a viable economy through restricting inputs to manufacturing and the community and access to markets for goods. of nations as third- Particularly acute is the severe shortage state parties have of construction materials such as cement, the responsibility to iron, and aggregate – vital commodities ensure adherence to for the reconstruction of housing, schools, international standards, and basic public facilities destroyed by including protection of By Mustafa Ibrahim* Israeli forces in the summer of 2014. the social and political Significantly, over 65,000 Palestinian rights of Palestinians in individuals remain homeless in the Gaza Gaza.

e cannot take a comprehensive look at the situation of human rights in the Gaza Strip without considering the wider context of human rights in the State of Palestine. The effective W blockade of the Strip has isolated it from the West Bank and the rest of the world. A bitter political acrimony between the parties governing each of the two Palestinian territories has resulted in two completely separate governments, having a dire impact on both the state and citizens’ human rights in the State of Palestine. The Government of National Consensusi announced by the Fatah and Hamas political parties in April 2014 did not effectively take hold (in spite of some attempts), and consequently has failed to perform governance functions in the Gaza Strip, as fundamental points of contention persisted between them. This failure to govern “in unity” led to a compounding of critical issues – remuneration of employees, unification of the judiciary, ratification and effective implementation of legislation, resolution of security and border issues. With no consensus government, a “shadow government” took hold, run by Hamas and operating de facto as the executive authority in Gaza. Suffocation and siege imposed for © Shareef Sarhan for UNDP/PAPP. 62 63 Strip facing difficult economic conditions the painful reality of their daily lives, and and scarce job prospects, and surviving hopeless of their children’s future. harsh interim living arrangements with no ii Political powers both locally and reconstruction of their homes in sight. internationally bear responsibility for In spite of ample data and numerous Gaza under international law. It is reports by both international and incumbent on parties to the Government Palestinian organizations reflecting the of National Consensus, Israeli authorities, urgency of the situation of Palestinian the United Nations, and the international human rights, the blockade continues and community to step up and assume their with it an increasingly alarming poverty responsibilities as duty bearers to protect rate. Currently at 43.2 percent,iii it reflects human rights in the Gaza Strip. Most a severe lack of job opportunities due to immediately, the de facto government the ongoing siege – increasing the number in Gaza bears a serious responsibility of socially marginalized people and to improve administration in support of generating an acute sense of injustice. citizens – ameliorating living conditions, Such conditions threaten to destabilize respecting human rights, and adhering civic peace in the Gaza community as to an acceptable minimum if not the full they foster the radicalization of society, extent of its legal obligations. and in particular intolerance and hatred among youth who are vulnerable to Mustafa Ibrahim is a human rights extremist ideas. Such trends constitute a activist and writer for various local real and grave danger to the social fabric. newspapers and electronic media Crucially, this development increases the outlets. He is a legal researcher at complexity of the lives of Palestinians the Gaza office of the Independent in the Gaza Strip amidst a serious Commission for Human Rights, as well deterioration of human rights, attacks as a board member of the Community on public freedom, and a prevailing Media Center and the Palestinian weakness of the judicial system. A severe Institute for Communication and shortage of judges and lack of financial Development. means to pay them will necessarily impact the course of justice and rule of *Translated from Arabic by Ayah Abu law, as will the enactment of new laws Basheer and Wafaa Al-Kafarna. through the parliamentary Change and iv Reform Bloc in the Gaza Strip and by i The Government of National Consensus was in presidential decree in the West Bank, effect between June 2, 2014 and June 17, 2015, deepening the internal Palestinian split under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas. and undermining efforts towards building ii United Nations Office for the Coordination of a unified Palestinian justice system. humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), available at: https:// As things stand, the Gaza government www.ochaopt.org/content/un-coordinator- humanitarian-aid-and-development-activities- is unable to provide basic services calls-international-support-bring. that constitute fundamental rights, iii United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), such as potable water and provision Occupied Palestinian Territories Emergency of consistent electrical supply due Appeal 2017, available at https://www.unrwa.org/ to resource restrictions and political sites/default/files/content/resources/2017_opt_ isolation. The state of public freedoms emergency_appeal.pdf. remains in free fall with restrictions iv As a result of January 25, 2006 Palestinian now a regular part of people’s lives. Legislative Election, Hamas – represented by Journalists and social media activists Change and Reform Bloc – achieved a great victory and won 74 seats of the total 132 PLC live in an environment of intimidation seats, while Fatah won just 45. Subsequently, and threats. Peaceful assembly brings Hamas temporarily formed a majority government with it risk of arrest and punishment. within the PLC, but the refusal of other parties to Conditions of detention beg for systematic participate in governing, aided by the international monitoring and disciplinary measures for boycott of the PA under Hamas, did not allow it those who violate procedures. Citizens to function. As a result of these factors, in 2007, are devastated by the injustice and Hamas took control of Gaza by force and has oppression, disempowered to improve exercised control and functioned as the local authority in Gaza ever since. 64 When the Law Fails Women

By Ayah Al-Wakeel

hen you are raised as a girl in a conservative Arab society, you have to go through a daily battle of “to be or not to be,” and as you grow, Artwork by Samir Hallak. your struggle grows with you. Your life is planned for you before you are born: You are responsible for the household chores and for Not until my fourth year at university support to women who are confined maintaining your so-called “honor and chastity” until you get married; was my family ready to accept the new within the large prison by which society W then you will have kids to whom you will devote your life. The decision ideas. They learned that a woman's surrounds us, from childhood on, under to get off that track will cost you much. potential is greater than proposed by various religious and social pretexts My family is religious and conservative to some extent, considers the our patriarchal society whose notions disguised as traditions. I cannot keep mingling of boys and girls dangerous, and forbids staying out late kill her spirit and attempt to confine her silent when it comes to women’s at night since our culture disapproves of such activities. I grew up to obsolete thoughts and traditions. suffering. In 2009, while still in law convinced that should I ever make a mistake, I would lose my parents’ Thus later on they granted my sisters school, I began to defend women’s confidence, and thus I avoided any disagreement with them – until I their freedom and gave them their own rights. By 2015, I was able to work passed high school with straight A’s. At that point I felt I had proven space. I gave my best and graduated in the Shari’a Courts within a project that I deserved the trust given to me. This was the first step on my from university, again receiving straight titled Strengthening the Rule of Law in path towards being me. A’s. I had proven that I am not inferior to the Palestinian Territory: Justice and male lawyers. I gained further respect Security for the Palestinian People, Initially, my family only reluctantly supported my choice to study law during my work in the courts, but I did supported by UN Women under the at university. It is the field of which I have dreamt since my childhood, not want to stop there. I have always Sawasya Programme and implemented hoping that it would be a source of strength for me as a woman. And wanted to change the lives of other at the Palestinian Center for Human so I became locked in a new battle. It is the prevailing conviction in women around me and wished to help Rights (PCHR) in Gaza. This experience Gaza that the legal profession befits only men. For a female lawyer to reduce the violence to which they are helped me determine the course of work with men is considered shameful. Moreover, society believes exposed. my life. I have realized that despite the that the strong personality required to successfully practice law would ongoing closure and the increasingly make a woman lose her femininity. Practicing law gave me strength of character and enabled me to extend my difficult challenges, I want to remain 66 67 poses the greatest obstacle because our laws are not fair to women.

I have always wanted to write about the “I believe in the cause cases in which I have failed. I need to for which I am striving. share the pain I felt when I was not able I grew up in this to liberate other women from the social community, experienced restrictions that have been entrenched its restrictions, and was in our laws. The law makes me stand released from them one powerless when a woman seeks divorce day. I have decided to for a reason that is not identified in the be part of the movement legal textbooks. For example, the law that aims to lift the allows women custody of their children restrictions that society only until the children reach a certain places on women who age, without taking into consideration a suffer from the poor father’s negative actions, and even when economic conditions the mother is dedicated and financially caused by the Israeli able to raise her children. And while the occupation, the unstable sterility of a woman is a sufficient reason political situation due for a man to seek a divorce from his wife, to the internal split, and the sterility of a husband is not considered the prevailing social and a justification for women to seek divorce. religious traditions and I am certain that the barriers on the customs.” path towards a fairer future for women are not grounded in religion (family law in the State of Palestine is based on the teachings of Islam), but rather in misinterpretation of Islamic traditions. I believe that a woman can sacrifice and Such misunderstandings are prevalent endure a certain amount of pain for the even among the feminist leaders who sake of her children, but there are other have sought to bring about change times when she and her children are in recent years. I have noticed the better off alone. In Palestinian society, difficulties by which they address women’s rights organizations must the clergymen who are either able take better care of women in all aspects to change the law or responsible for of their lives: legally, socially, and facilitating reconciliation between economically – especially if a woman spouses. These men tend to promote seeks a divorce. the concept that puts “the power in the hands of the man” while requiring the Ayah Al-Wakeel is a lawyer specialized wife to be patient all the time. Society in the defense of women victims believes that a woman must get married of violence in Gaza. After one year of training at the Palestinian Centre Mother. Artwork by Mohammad Joulani. and that the perfect place for her for Human Rights (PCHR), Gaza, can only be found in her husband’s sponsored by SAWASYA, the UNDP/ house where she can take care of her UN Women Joint Programme, she in Gaza and play a role in changing I felt satisfied when I was able to bring children. She is not supposed to take continues to work at PCHR in defending the lives of the women who live here. back their freedom and dignity, at least on a profession, and divorce is always the cases of Palestinian women in Women are considered as objects to to some extent, given that women considered disastrous for children. Shari’a courts in Gaza. be kept inside the house rather than and indeed most people in Gaza are as persons who are capable of living largely illiterate of their basic rights as fulfilled lives and allowed to move in guaranteed by the law. In other cases, full view of society. I have failed to overcome obstacles. In several judicial cases I have Beyond the siege and society’s views, successfully assured women’s rights. unfortunately in fact, the existing law 68 69 PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH

Colonel to local cultural norms. “We’ve come promotes the inclusion of gender issues Abdul-Hakeem Abu-Rub a long way since we started back in the institutional development agenda. in 1994,” Colonel Abu-Rub says When asked about his deepest-rooted By the TWiP Collective proudly. Be it in training on self-defense, passion, Colonel Abu-Rub smiled traffic control, fitness, investigation and appeared lost for words. He techniques, or other training-related then revealed that, rather than his areas, women receive the same upbringing or the evolution of his life, program as men and are qualified his experiences while a university according to the same international student in Yemen contributed to his standard. gender focus. The hunger for an As for the presence and status of education shown by a number of young women in the police force, Colonel Abu- Palestinian women students, their Rub added that among the 200 posts values, strength, and steadfastness left recently recruited, only 10 percent were a deep impression on him and inspired offered to women. “We cannot talk about him to become a dedicated advocate equality in our Palestinian society,” he for women. stated, “but we are striving to promote In 1995, Colonel Abu-Rub received his fairness and justice.” Importantly, bachelor’s degree in Arabic literature a greater general acceptance of from Aden University in Yemen. In policewomen is apparent, and women 1996, he earned a diploma in police are becoming increasingly eager to science after graduating from the Police join the police force and develop their College in Jericho. He began his career careers. Whereas women previously in 1996 as a field officer, and advanced had applied primarily for secretarial in 2003 to take on management of the or administrative positions, most security centers throughout the State women now submit their candidacies of Palestine. From 2007 to 2008, he for policing posts. Colonel Abu-Rub lectured at the Police College and added that the Palestinian police are subsequently joined the Forces’ training Admittedly, when we approached deep understanding of gender issues conscious of the need and eager to department. In 2014, Colonel Abu- Colonel Abu-Rub for this interview, we and of the challenges facing women, include policewomen, even more so Rub received a professional diploma found his official title a bit mundane particularly in relation to his work with as women are increasingly recognized in public administration from Birzeit – “Deputy Director of the Training the police. This activist stance and for their particular abilities and skills in University, specializing in gender and Department” at the Palestinian his consistent position of advocacy in dealing with certain aspects of police accountability in a program organized Civil Police. However, his persona working towards progress in gender work. and sponsored by the UNDP. This immediately became apparent when equality brought our sponsors to Colonel Abu-Rub has been an active qualification gave a major boost to the colonel wasted no time in sweeping reflexively nominate him as Personality member of the strategic planning team his career and empowered him to us away in passionate explanation of of the Month for the current issue of that developed the first-ever Palestinian achieve his goals and contribute to his work! Clearly, we were talking to This Week in Palestine. police force gender strategy that was gender integration. Colonel Abu-Rub the right person, an individual filled Stern, yet with an amiable character, adopted recently. Proudly he referred is a member of the Police Projects with a sense of mission and profound Colonel Abu-Rub articulately delved to the training department as one of Committee, the Gender Steering convictions. into thorny issues surrounding gender the first departments to integrate the Committee, the Planning Committee, Originating from the traditional village equality. He raises gender-related strategy. As a member of the Gender and the Police Recruitment Committee. of Jalaboun near Jenin, Colonel Abu- issues and challenges societal patterns Steering Committee, he plays a crucial He lives in Ramallah with his spouse, Rub reveals a sincerely open mind and within the various committees in which role in supporting the gender unit at who works in the field of social welfare, modernist values. He demonstrates a he is involved, while remaining sensitive the policy and strategic levels and and their three girls and two boys. 70 71 BOOKS OF THE MONTH Drawing the Kafr Qasem In the Absence of Justice Massacre By Dr. Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian By Samia Halaby Available at http://palestine.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2016/12/ Shilt Publishing, November 2016 absence-of-justice-research Hardcover, 264 pages with 100 full-color illustrations Reviewed by Dr. Ana Lukatela Reviewed by Inass Yassin

power structures in their attempts to Palestinian village. The artist relates: access justice. “I began drawing in an illusionist way, The firsthand accounts of East in the tradition of Renaissance art; but Jerusalemite women in this research as the project progressed, I frequently study give critical voice to the challenges questioned whether I perhaps should use Palestinian women are facing after more an expressionist method instead. I admire than 50 years of occupation. Occupation Diego Rivera and thought that working in and patriarchy work together to create his manner, which influenced many of the significant obstacles for East Jerusalemite Palestinian artists of the Intifada, might be women in realizing their social, legal, political, and economic rights as well a more modern path. However, after much as physical safety. The Israeli ID card thought, I decided that the expressionist system holds women hostage in a and semi-cubist style of Rivera did not bureaucratic trap where they cannot suit my ambition of presenting people access justice without the “right” ID as specific individuals in documented card or are constantly in fear of their events.” family members being deported from Palestinian author and lawyer Raja Jerusalem. Women are stigmatized by Shehadeh introduces Halaby’s work and their communities if they report gender- reflects on her long artistic career and based violence to Israeli authorities. history of political commitment. Historian Women don’t report workplace abuse and harassment for fear of ridicule, eviction, Renowned artist Samia Halaby will Dr. Salman Abu Sitta describes the and/or residency revocation. Women who present her newly published book, historical context surrounding the events This research study examines the socio- Drawing the Kafr Qasem Massacre, at of the 1948 tragedy. In her introduction, political factors that affect Palestinian live behind the wall in East Jerusalem have limited access to services or justice the opening of her upcoming exhibition, Halaby presents how she conducted women’s access to justice in East “Documentary Drawings of the Kafr research among the few sources of Jerusalem. Occupied by Israel in 1967, even though they are East Jerusalem residents. Women and girls feel that Qasem Massacre,” at Birzeit University information that she was able to find. East Jerusalem exists in a liminal Museum on February 22. The book “Along with my interviews, I conducted space where intersecting legal systems the most intimate aspects of their lives are constantly under surveillance and features Halaby’s drawings which extensive research on historical materials contribute to a complex machinery of document the Kafr Qasem massacre bureaucracy, law, and justice systems. describe living with the constant pressure and found a gold mine in the locally The aim of this study is to deepen of racism and discrimination. that occurred in 1956. Their uniqueness published magazine Al-Shorok, each understanding of Palestinian women’s The gendered price of surviving such a lies in the specificity of the documentation October issue of which is dedicated to a experiences in Jerusalem as they attempt system of dispossession and entrapment regarding both individuals and events. The commemoration of the massacre.” to access justice through both formal is high, as militarized violence invades drawings are accompanied by the artist’s The main part of the book introduces the institutions and informal paths. The the most intimate spheres of women’s description of the research process and series of drawings and the context as to research collected data prior to, during, lives – their family life, homes, bodies, the difficulties involved in making these when they were created. Then, drawings and after the beginning of the escalation and psyches. These women, the study drawings. and narrative are divided based on the of violence in Jerusalem in October found, have little faith in the Israeli Samia Halaby created her set of work of Emile Habibi, the Palestinian 2015. The data was compared and justice system, no protection from the documentary drawings based on writer and journalist who first undertook analyzed not only to map the banality Palestinian Authority, and experience the of violence women face and the way it consequences of the willful failure by the interviews with survivors. The emotions the task of describing the entire massacre affects women’s access to justice, but State of Israel in its obligations under of anger and fear leap from every page during the years 1956–1967. Finally, the also to learn women’s “countermaps” – international law and accountability. In this of this book and enable the reader to book highlights the purpose of preserving the everyday strategies that Palestinian atmosphere, women turn to alternative bear witness to the terrible suffering such documentation for future historical women living in Jerusalem employ to measures to access justice, working to endured by the inhabitants of this small study in a variety of disciplines. survive and resist violence, and navigate “re-member” what is dismembered. 72 73 by Emile Habibi in his book, On the Museum that will also present three 20th Anniversary of the Kafr Qasem recently completed acrylic paintings EXHIBITION REVIEW Massacre: Kafr Qasem, the Political as well as her book, Drawing the Kafr Massacre, now rare and difficult to find. Qasem Massacre. The book focuses For Halaby, this project falls within the on the drawings presented in the framework of her activism, much like exhibition and on the work the artist her design work of posters and banners has conducted with the people of Kafr Documenting the Kafr Qasem that have been used in demonstrations Qasem, to whom she, and we at Birzeit across the United States. Through this University, extend our deepest thanks Massacre in Painting project, she manages to raise questions and gratitude. on the role and place of art in life. By Samia Halaby Born in Jerusalem in 1936, Samia Birzeit University Museum Samia Halaby’s exceptional Halaby is a not only a leading abstract February 22 to May 30, 2017 art experience makes her a main painter but also an influential scholar By Inass Yassin reference for the study of modern and of Palestinian art. Although based contemporary painting practice and in the United States since 1951, bears witness to a unique model of art Halaby is recognized as a pioneer of activism, whereby an artist-advocate’s contemporary abstraction in the Arab political devotion to a cause never world. Influenced by the abstract compromised the quality and quantity movements of the Russian avant- of the world-class art she has produced garde, she works with the conviction over the years. that new approaches to painting can This series is to form a permanent redirect ways of seeing and thinking not part of the Birzeit University Museum only within the realm of aesthetics but collection and be forever present in the also as contributions to technological consciousness of future generations. and social advancement. Since the Halaby has already made a number of 1970s, her work has been collected contributions to the Birzeit Museum’s by international institutions, including collection, donating a number of her the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Samia Halaby, The Kafr Qasem Massacre of 1956, Killing in the Northern Fields, works and helping collect artwork by of Art (New York and Abu Dhabi); Yale 85.5 x 123 cm. Archival print on cotton pape,r 2016. other artists. Furthermore, she has University Art Gallery; National Gallery visited the university several times and of Art, Washington D.C.; Art Institute met with students in art workshops. of Chicago; Cleveland Museum of Art; Institut du Monde Arabe; and the British Birzeit University Museum is launching a unique exhibition of drawings by Samia Whereas she has previously participated in group exhibitions, this Museum. Samia Halaby is represented Halaby. An artist internationally acclaimed for her rich contribution to the art scene, by Ayyam Gallery (Beirut/Dubai). she has left a distinctive mark on contemporary abstract painting and considers is Halaby’s first solo show at the Birzeit her work to be an extension of liberation art. For more than six decades, Halaby has explored and emulated new trends of various modern art schools, believing that painting is a key element of visual culture. At one point, her art production even crossed over into digital painting technology. Halaby’s series “Documenting the Kafr Qasem Massacre in Painting” that puts on display 16 prints as reproductions of her drawings, however, presents a different side of her work. Halaby is also an activist and advocate for the Palestinian cause and uses illustrations and detailed scenes to document a painful and largely undocumented historical event – the Kafr Qasem Massacre. She researched the project for years, frequently visiting survivors, and based her work on stories they told, their accounts of the relatives they lost in the massacre – in many cases entire families – and all the press materials she could find. Interestingly, Halaby presents the paintings as a work of documentation rather than a work of art. She leads us to recognize the strong bond between her art production and her political activism that often pushed her to explore Palestinian art as liberation Samia Halaby, The Kafr Qasem Massacre of 1956, the Sixth Wave of Killing, 85 x art. In creating the series, the artist relied on the narrative pattern previously used 123 cm. Archival print on cotton paper, 2016. 74 75 WHERE TO GO?

A Cultural Tour of the Old City

of Hebron Abd Al-Nabi olive press. Al-Natsheh olive press. Courtesy of VisitPalestine.ps

Hebron (Al-Khalil) is one of the oldest Al-Khalil lies on the ancient trade protected by the continuous wall of city and is marked on the newest maps continuously inhabited cities in the and pilgrimage route to Mecca that closely-knit houses at its outer edges. produced by the Palestinian Ministry of world. Excavations in the area of Tell connects Damascus and Cairo. It Hebron’s market (souq) with its maze of Tourism and Antiquities. Rumeida, which is the archaeological has always been a meeting place for alleys is definitely worth exploring. The To learn more about Hebron and site that borders Hebron’s old quarters pilgrims, traders, and travellers from shops and stalls sell everything from other interesting destinations, visit from the eastern side, reveal structures around the world. locally made pottery, glass, rugs, and our website at www.visitpalestine. that date to 2000 BC. The very compact structure of the old embroidered items to fresh and dried ps, or contact the Visit Palestine As home to the imposing Haram al- quarters expanded organically around fruits. Typical Middle Eastern sweets, Information Center in Bethlehem via Ibrahimi (Sanctuary of Abraham) or the Haram al-Ibrahimi. However, the such as lokum, delicate chewy cubes [email protected] or (02) 277- Tomb of the Patriarchs – the resting town’s development progressed more dusted with icing sugar, or katayef, 1992. place of the great patriarchs or prophets prominently to the west, south, and sweet little pancakes filled with cream Despite the fact that Hebron’s old Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham (Ibrahim), north, keeping the sacred site on its or nuts, can also be found there. city and its inhabitants have been and their wives Leah, Rebecca, and eastern edge. All the inner streets of the Two other interesting sites located in the subjected to constant suffering caused Sarah – Hebron is sacred to the three old city have been planned to provide heart of the old city are Al-Natsheh and by the occupation, the area has recently monotheistic faiths. According to easy access to the mosque. Abd al-Nabi olive presses and Qunaibi started to revive. Many buildings, Islamic belief, Joseph, son of Jacob A stroll through the old city’s narrow, Press, the sesame press of the town. characterized by vaulted ceilings and and Rachel, was also buried beneath winding streets can offer a fascinating All of them were established during the arched doors and windows, were the sanctuary. journey through different eras of history. Ottoman Era in Palestine, but the Abd renovated and restored by the Hebron In Arabic, the place is called Al-Khalil, The old quarters, dominated by the al-Nabi Olive Press was developed into Rehabilitation Committee and the which is a term that derives from the Mamluk style (twelfth century), with a mechanical press and flour mill during Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Qur’anic epithet for Abraham – Khalil additional elements from the Ottoman the British Mandate. Antiquities, and can now serve again al-Rahman, meaning “Beloved of the times (fifteenth to nineteenth centuries), Tip: The rooftop of the beautifully as a space for various Palestinian Merciful” or “Friend of God.” The name were constructed using the hoash restored Lamar Guesthouse offers a institutions and small businesses. Hebron, when traced back to its Semitic model, where extended family members comprehensive view of the town and In order to gain better insight into the roots, means the same. would build their houses around a can be a perfect place to start or end complex situation of Hebron’s Old common courtyard. The city did not your visit. The guesthouse is located City, visit www.tiph.org – the website have fortifications but was relatively in the northeast part of Hebron’s old of Temporary International Presence in Hebron, a civilian mission observer.

Rooftop of Lamar Guesthouse.

76 77 e

EAST JERUSALEM EXHIBITIONS Monday 20 RAMALLAH SPECIAL EVENTS Wednesday 1 – Tuesday 28 Dar Al-Kalima University College of Arts & Monday 6 – Wednesday 9 CHILDREN’S EVENTS 18:00 – 21:00 “Free Fall” by the artist Culture announces the Ismail Shammout 19:00 French Culinary Week #3, dedicated to Sunday 5, 12, 19, 26 Bashir Qonqar. Al Ma’mal Foundation for competition for fine art for the year 2017, food lovers, is organized by the French Institute Contemporary Art, New Gate, Old City. entitled “For Life,” and calls for Palestinian 10:00 – 14:30 Gaming Club organized by of Jerusalem and offers tandems of Franco- artists from the West Bank, Gaza, occupied the French-German Cultural Center for 6- to Saturday 25 Palestinian chefs who will propose unique Palestinian lands of 1948, and from the 14-year-old children to play video games menus created by four hands. A3 Ramallah 10:00 – 21:00 An exhibition entitled diaspora to apply for participation before and discover new games. Robert Schumann Restaurant and Mövenpick Hotel. “Jerusalem’s Life” by three Jerusalemite February 20, 2017. For more information, Library. women: Nisreen Matuly, Aseel Jamal, and Hiba please visit the announcement section of the GAZA Siam who highlight the talents of the women official website: www.daralkalima.net. EXHIBITIONS of this ancient city to prove that women are Tuesday 7 SPECIAL EVENTS TOURS capable of making change and giving life to 18:00 – 20:00 Opening of an art exhibition Monday 13 this city. Al-Hamra Palace, Salah Al-Din Street. Friday 10, 24 entitled “The Deer Fell” by artist Manal 17:00 Inauguration of the First Mobile Short THEATER 9:00 – 10:00 The Bethlehem old city walking Mahamid. The exhibition runs until March 9, Film Festival 2017, organized by the Culture tour is a free-of-charge tour organized by Hosh 2017. Gallery One. Thursday 9 and Free Thought Association in Gaza to focus Abu Jarour Tourist Information Center and LECTURES on youth unemployment and the rights of 19:00 Where Would I Find Like You, Ali? Bethlehem Municipality to explore the history, people with disabilities. The Culture and Free Saturday 4 The play monologue is written and acted by culture, and heritage of Bethlehem through Thought Association. Raida Taha and directed by Lina Abyad. The inspecting the old buildings and visiting various 17:30 La Question de Palestine (a lecture Palestinian National Theatre – Al Hakawati. sites. During the tour, participants will visit Star in French with Arabic translation) by Henry INTERNATIONAL Street, Abu Jarour Neighborhood, the Icon Laurens, who currently holds the chair of BETHLEHEM School, the Salesian Museum and Workshop, modern Arab history at the Collège de France, SPECIAL EVENTS Manger Square, and the Church of the Nativity. Saturday 4 SPECIAL EVENTS and who is the author of a five-volume history The starting point will be at the headquarters of Palestine. Organized by the French Institute Monday 6 of Hosh Abu Jarour Tourist Information Center 9:00 – 19:30 United Nations Roundtable of Jerusalem in cooperation with the French on the Question of Palestine convened on 15:00 Commencement of a two-year intensive- on Star Street, and it will end at the Church of Institute for the Near East. French-German the Nativity. the exercise of the inalienable rights of the level diploma course for professional icon Cultural Center – Robert Schumann Library. Palestinian people, under the theme “Building painting that covers 15 hours per week of Tuesday 21 Bridges with the Palestinian Diaspora in Central drawing skills and painting in egg tempera, as HEBRON 18:30 Stammtisch-German, an evening America,” with the participation of the mayor well as information on iconography. Classes SPECIAL EVENTS of Bethlehem as a speaker on Panel 1, entitled are held on Tuesday evenings, and Friday and organized by the language department at the Wednesday 1 Goethe Institut, offers people an opportunity “50 years of Occupation: Impact on the Lives Saturday mornings, depending on demand. of Palestinians.” Managua, Nicaragua. Beginners are very welcome. All classes are 16:00 “Study Arabic in Palestine” is a to speak German, play games, and enjoy an free, with an annual enrollment fee of 100 NIS. specialized course for internationals interested evening in exchanging information. Sangria´s Bethlehem Icon School, Star Street. in learning the Arabic language. The Excellence Restaurant. Monday 13 Center in Palestine, Ein Sarah Street. 17:00 Tree-Planting Palestine February is an JENIN activity organized by To Be There initiative to support Palestinian farmers with help SPECIAL EVENTS and presence during the planting of several Wednesday 1 hundred olive trees. The activity will offer you the opportunity to learn about daily life 15:00 Media Institutions Management under military occupation, Israel’s policies specialized course for individuals interested towards land confiscations, and the control in developing their management performance of the Palestinian population. The program in the media institutions. Bahaa Khairy will include several excursions in Bethlehem, Institution BKI. Hebron, and Jerusalem. For more information, please visit the Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/ToBeThere.Palestine/.

78 79 Telefax: 274 7945 Municipality Theatre Palestinian Heritage Center Tel: 232 2417, Fax: 232 2604 Telefax: 274 2381, 274 2642 [email protected] JENIN (04) c www.phc.ps Russian Center for Science and Culture Cinema Jenin Telefax: 276 1131, Tel: 276 1130 Tel: 250 2642, 250 2455 [email protected], pse.rs.gov.ru/ar [email protected], www.cinemajenin.org www.facebook.com/russian.center.bethlehem Hakoura Center www. americancolony.com EAST JERUSALEM (02) Relief International - Schools Online Telfax: 250 4773 The Edward Said National Conservatory of [email protected], www.hakoura-jenin.ps ARTLAB Bethlehem Community-Based Learning and Mob. 0544 343 798, [email protected] Music Action Center The Freedom Theatre/Jenin Refugee Camp Tel: 627 1711, Fax: 627 1710 Tel: 277 7863 Tel: 250 3345, [email protected] Al-Jawal Theatre Group [email protected], ncm.birzeit.edu Telefax: 628 0655 Sabreen Association for Artistic Development Theatre Day Productions Tel: 275 0091, Fax: 275 0092 NABLUS (09) Al-Ma’mal Foundation for Contemporary Art Tel: 585 4513, Fax: 583 4233 [email protected], www.sabreen.org Tel: 628 3457, Fax: 627 2312 [email protected], www.theatreday.org British Council- Al Najah University [email protected] Tent of Nations Telefax: 237 5950 www.almamalfoundation.org Turkish Cultural Centre Tel: 274 3071, Fax: 276 7446 [email protected] Tel: 591 0530/1, Fax: 532 3310 [email protected], www.tentofnations.org www.britishcoumcil.org/ps Alruwah Theatre [email protected], www.kudusbk.com Tel: 626 2626, [email protected] The Edward Said National Conservatory of Cultural Centre for Child Development Wujoud Museum Tel: 238 6290, Fax: 239 7518 Tel: 626 0916, www.wujoud.org, [email protected] Music Al-Urmawi Centre for Mashreq Music Telefax: 274 8726 [email protected], www.nutaleb.cjb.net Tel: 234 2005, Fax: 234 2004 [email protected], www.birzeit.edu/music [email protected], www.urmawi.org Yabous Cultural Center Cultural Heritage Enrichment Center Tel: 626 1045; Fax: 626 1372 Tel. 237 2863, Fax. 237 8275 [email protected], www.yabous.org The Higher Institute of Music America House Telefax: 275 2492, [email protected] [email protected] http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov/americahouse2.html www.thehigherinstituteofmusic.ps BETHLEHEM (02) French Cultural Centre Ashtar for Theatre Productions & Training Turathuna - Centre for Palestinian Heritage Tel: 238 5914, Fax: 238 7593 Telefax: 582 7218 [email protected] [email protected], www.ashtar-theatre.org Al-Harah Theatre (B.Uni.) Telefax: 276 7758, [email protected] Tel: 274 1241, Fax: 274 4440 Nablus The Culture British Council [email protected], www.alharah.org [email protected], www.bethlehem.edu Tel: 233 2084, Fax: 234 5325 Tel: 626 7111, Fax: 628 3021 [email protected], www.nablusculture.ps [email protected] Alliance Française de Bethléem Telefax: 275 0777, [email protected] HEBRON (02) www.britishcouncil.org/ps RAMALLAH AND AL-BIREH (02) Centre for Jerusalem Studies/Al-Quds University Anat Palestinian Folk & Craft Center Al Sanabl Centre for Studies and Heritage Tel: 628 7517, [email protected] Telefax: 277 2024, [email protected] Tel: 256 0280, [email protected] A. M. Qattan Foundation www.jerusalem-studies.alquds.edu Arab Educational Institute (AEI)-Open Windows www.sanabl.org, www.sanabl.ps Tel: 296 0544, Fax: 298 4886 Tel: 274 4030, www.aeicenter.org [email protected] Community Action Centre (CAC) Beit Et Tifl Compound www.qattanfoundation.org Tel: 627 3352, Fax: 627 4547, www.cac.alquds.edu Artas Folklore Center Telefax: 222 4545, [email protected] Educational Bookshop Mob: 0597 524 524, 0599 679 492, 0503 313 136 British Council- Palestine Polytechnic University Al Kasaba Theatre and Cinematheque [email protected] Tel: 296 5292/3, Fax: 296 5294 Tel: 627 5858, Fax: 628 0814 Telefax: 229 3717, [email protected] [email protected], www.alkasaba.org [email protected] www.britsishcouncil.org.ps www.educationalbookshop.com Badil Centre Tel: 277 7086 Al-Kamandjâti Association Children Happiness Center Tel: 297 3101 El-Hakawati Theatre Company Beit Jala Community-Based Learning and Action Telefax: 229 9545, [email protected] [email protected], www.alkamandjati.com Tel: 583 8836, Mobile: 0545 835 268 Dura Cultural Martyrs Center [email protected], www.el-hakawati.org Center Al-Mada Music Therapy Center Tel: 277 7863 Tel: 228 3663, [email protected] www.duramun.org Tel: 241 3196, Fax: 241 3197 French Cultural Centre [email protected], www.al-mada.ps Tel: 628 2451 / 626 2236, Fax: 628 4324 Bethlehem Academy of Music/ Bethlehem Music [email protected] AMIDEAST Society Tel: 221 3301/2/3/4, Fax: 221 3305 Al-Rahhalah Theatre Issaf Nashashibi Center for Culture & Literature Tel: 277 7141, Fax: 277 7142 Mob: 0599 097 531 Telefax: 298 8091, [email protected] Telefax: 581 8232, [email protected] Bethlehem Peace Center Al-Rua’a Publishing House Tel: 276 6677, Fax: 276 4670 France-Hebron Association for Cultural Tel: 296 1613, Fax: 197 1265, Mob: 0599 259 874 Jerusalem Centre for Arabic Music [email protected], www.peacenter.org Exchanges [email protected] Tel: 627 4774, Fax: 656 2469, [email protected] Tel: 222 4811 Catholic Action Cultural Center [email protected], wwww.hebron-france.org Amideast Magnificat Insitute Tel: 274 3277, Fax 274 2939 Tel: 240 8023, Fax: 240 8017 Tel: 626 6609, Fax: 626 6701 [email protected], www.ca-b.org Hebron Rehabilitation Committee [email protected], www.amideast.org [email protected] Telfax: 225 5640, 222 6993/4 www.magnificatinstitute.org Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation ArtSchool Palestine Tel: 276 6244, Fax: 276 6241 Palestinian Child Arts Center (PCAC) Tel: 295 9837, [email protected] Melia Art Center [email protected], www.cchp.ps Tel: 222 4813, Fax: 222 0855 www.artschoolpalestine.com TeleFax: 628 1377, [email protected] [email protected], www.pcac.net www.meliaartandtrainingcenter.com Environmental Education Center Ashtar for Theatre Production Tel: 276 5574, [email protected], www.eecp.org The International Palestinian Youth League (IPYL) Tel: 298 0037, Fax: 296 0326 Palestinian Art Court - Al Hoash Tel:222 9131, Fax: 229 0652 [email protected], www.ashtar-theatre.org Telefax: 627 3501 Inad Centre for Theatre and Arts [email protected], www.ipyl.org [email protected], www.alhoashgallary.org Telefax: 276 6263, www.inadtheater.com Baladna Cultural Center Yes Theater Telfax: 295 8435 Palestinian National Theatre International Centre of Bethlehem-Dar Annadwa Telefax: 229 1559, Tel: 628 0957, Fax: 627 6293, [email protected] Tel: 277 0047, Fax: 277 0048 www.yestheatre.org, [email protected] Birzeit Ethnographic and Art Museum Sabreen Association for Artistic Development [email protected], www.diyar.ps Tel. 298 2976, www.virtualgallery.birzeit.edu Tel: 532 1393, [email protected] ITIP Center “Italian Tourist Information Point” JERICHO (02) British Council Sanabel Culture & Arts Theatre Telefax: 276 0411, [email protected] Tel: 296 3293-6, Fax: 296 3297 Tel: 671 4338, Fax: 673 0993 Jericho Community Centre [email protected] [email protected] Nativity Stationery Library Telefax: 232 5007 www.britishcouncil.org/ps Mob: 0598 950 447 The Bookshop at the American Colony Hotel Jericho Culture & Art Center Carmel Cultural Foundation Tel: 627 9731, Fax: 627 9779 Palestinian Group for the Revival of Popular Telefax: 232 1047 Tel: 298 7375, Fax: 298 7374 [email protected] Heritage

80 81 Dar Zahran Heritage Building Sharek Youth Forum Telfax: 296 3470, Mob: 0599 511 800 Tel: 296 7741, Fax: 296 7742 [email protected], www.darzahran.org [email protected], www.sharek.ps a El-Funoun Dance Troupe Shashat EAST JERUSALEM (02) [email protected] Tel: 240 2853, Fax: 240 2851 Tel: 297 3336, Fax: 297 3338 www.geocities.com/swedishhostel [email protected], www.el-funoun.org [email protected], www.shashat.org 7 Arches Hotel Notre Dame Guesthouse (142 rooms, Su, bf, mr, Franco-German Cultural Centre Ramallah Tamer Institute for Community Education Tel: 626 7777, Fax: 627 1319 cr, res, ter, cf, pf) Tel: 298 1922 / 7727, Fax: 298 1923 Tel: 298 6121/ 2, Fax: 298 8160 [email protected], www.7arches.com [email protected], www.ccf-goethe-ramallah.org [email protected], www.tamerinst.org Tel: 627 9111, Fax: 627 1995 Addar Hotel (30 suites; bf; mr; res) [email protected] Gallery One The Danish House in Palestine (DHIP) Tel: 626 3111, Fax: 626 0791, www.addar-hotel.com www.notredamecenter.org Tel: 298 9181, [email protected] TeleFax: 298 8457, [email protected], www.dhip.ps Alcazar Hotel (38 rooms; bf; mr; res) Petra Hostel and Hotel Greek Cultural Centre - “Macedonia” The Edward Said National Conservatory of Tel: 628 1111; Fax: 628 7360 Tel: 628 6618 Telefax: 298 1736/ 298 0546 Music [email protected], www.jrscazar.com Pilgrims Inn Hotel (16 rooms; bf; mr; res) [email protected] Tel: 295 9070, Fax: 295 9071 Ambassador Hotel (122 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) Tel: 627 2416, [email protected] In’ash Al-Usra Society- Center for Heritage & [email protected], www.birzeit.edu/music Tel: 541 2222, Fax: 582 8202 [email protected] Ritz Hotel Jerusalem (104 rooms, bf, mr) Folklore Studies The Palestinian Circus School www.jerusalemambassador.com Tel: 626 9900, Fax: 626 9910 Tel: 240 1123 / 240 2876, Telefax: 240 1544 Tel: 281 2000, 0568 880 024 [email protected] [email protected], www.inash.org www.palcircus.ps, info@ palcircus.ps American Colony Hotel (84 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) www.jerusalemritz.com Tel: 627 9777, Fax: 627 9779 International Academy of Arts The Palestinian Network of Art Centres [email protected], www.americancolony.com Rivoli Hotel Tel: 296 7601, [email protected] Tel: 298 0036, 296 4348/9, Fax: 296 0326 Tel: 628 4871, Fax: 627 4879 [email protected] Austrian Hospice Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center Tel: 626 5800, Fax: 627 1472 Savoy Hotel (17 rooms) Tel: 298 7374, Fax: 296 6820 The Spanish Cultural Center [email protected], www.austrianhospice.com Tel: 628 3366, Fax: 628 8040 [email protected], www.sakakini.org Tel. 296 9600, Mob: 0595 803 508 Seven Arches Hotel (197 rooms; bf; mr; res) [email protected] Azzahra Hotel (15 rooms, res) Mahmoud Darwish Foundation and Museum Tel: 628 2447, Fax: 628 3960 Tel: 626 7777, Fax: 627 1319 Tel: 295 2808, Fax: 295 2809 Young Artist Forum [email protected], www.azzahrahotel.com [email protected] [email protected] Telefax: 296 7654, [email protected] St. Andrew’s Scottish Guesthouse www.darwishfoundation.org Capitol Hotel (54 rooms; bf; mr; res) Zawyeh Art Gallery Tel: 628 2561/2, Fax: 626 4352 “The Scottie” (19 rooms +Self Catering Manar Cultural Center Mob. 0597 994 997 Christmas Hotel Apartment) Tel: 295 7937, Fax: 298 7598 [email protected], www.zawyeh.net Tel: 628 2588, Fax: 626 4417 Tel: 673 2401, Fax: 673 1711 Mazra’a Qibliyeh Heritage and Tourism Centre [email protected], www.christmas-hotel.com [email protected], www.scotsguesthouse.com Telefax: 281 5825, [email protected] GAZA STRIP (08) Commodore Hotel (45 rooms; cf; mr; res) St George Hotel Jerusalem www.geocities.com/mazraaheritage/ Tel: 627 1414, Fax: 628 4701 Tel: 627 7232 Fax: 627 7233 [email protected] Al-Qattan Centre for the Child [email protected], www.commodore-jer.com Nawa Institute Tel: 283 9929, Fax: 283 9949 www.stgeorgehoteljerusalem.com Tel: 297 0190, [email protected] [email protected] Gloria Hotel (94 rooms; mr; res) www.qattanfoundation.org/qcc Tel: 628 2431, Fax: 628 2401, [email protected] St. George’s Pilgrim Guest House (25 rooms; Palestine Writing Workshop bf; res) Mob: 0597 651 408, www.palestineworkshop.com Arts & Crafts Village Golden Walls Hotel (112 rooms) Tel: 628 3302, Fax: 628 2253 Palestinian Association for Contemporary Art Telefax: 284 6405 Tel: 627 2416, Fax: 626 4658 [email protected] [email protected], www.goldenwalls.com PACA [email protected], www.gazavillage.org St. Thomas Home Tel: 296 7601, fax: 295 1849 Ashtar for Culture & Arts Holy Land Hotel (105 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) Tel: 628 2657, 627 4318, Fax: 626 4684 [email protected], www.pal-paca.org Telefax: 283 3565, [email protected] Tel: 627 2888, Fax: 628 0265 [email protected], www.aset-future.net [email protected], www.holylandhotel.com Palestinian Association for Cultural Exchange Culture & Light Centre Victoria Hotel (50 rooms; bf; res) Telefax: 286 5896, [email protected] ibis Styles Jerusalem Sheikh Jarrah (91 rooms) Tel: 627 4466, Fax: 627 4171 (PACE) Tel: 578 3100, Fax: 578 3129, www.ibis.com Tel: 240 7611, Telfax: 240 7610 [email protected], www.4victoria-hotel.com [email protected], www.pace.ps Dialogpunkt Deutsch Gaza (Goethe-Insitut) Jerusalem Hotel (14 rooms; bf; mr; res; live music) Tel: 282 0203, Fax: 282 1602 Tel: 628 3282, Fax: 628 3282 BETHLEHEM (02) Popular Art Center [email protected], www.jrshotel.com Tel: 240 3891, Fax: 240 2851 Fawanees Theatre Group Alexander Hotel (42 rooms; bf; mr; res) [email protected] Telefax: 288 4403 Jerusalem Panorama Hotel (74 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 277 0780, Fax: 277 0782 www.popularartcentre.org Tel: 628 4887, Fax: 627 3699 French Cultural Centre [email protected] Al-Salam Hotel (26 rooms; 6f; mr; cf; res) Tel: 286 7883, Fax: 282 8811 Tel: 276 4083/4, Fax: 277 0551, [email protected] Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies [email protected] www.jerusalempanoramahotel.com (RCHRS) Hashimi Hotel Angel Hotel Beit Jala Tel: 241 3002 Gaza Theatre Tel: 628 4410, Fax: 628 4667, [email protected] Tel: 276 6880, Fax: 276 6884 Ramallah Cultural Palace Tel: 282 4860, Fax: 282 4870 [email protected], www.angelhotel.ps Tel: 294 5555, Fax: 295 2107 Knights Palace Guesthouse (50 rooms) Global Production and Distribution Tel: 628 2537, Fax: 628 2401, [email protected] Ararat Hotel (101 rooms, mr, ter, cf) [email protected] Telefax: 288 4399, [email protected] Tel: 274 9888, Fax: 276 9887 Legacy Hotel [email protected], www.ararat–hotel.com RIWAQ: Centre for Architectural Conservation Holst Cultural Centre Tel: 627 0800, Fax: 627 7739 Tel: 240 6887, Fax: 240 6986 Tel: 281 0476, Fax: 280 8896, [email protected] [email protected], www.jerusalemlegacy.com Beit Al-Baraka Youth Hostel (19 rooms) [email protected], www.riwaq.org Tel: 222 9288, Fax: 222 9288 Theatre Day Productions Metropol Hotel Sandouq Elajab Theatre Telefax: 283 6766, [email protected] Tel: 628 2507, Fax: 628 5134 Bethlehem Bible College Guest House Tel: 296 5638, 295 3206 Mount of Olives Hotel (61 rooms; bf; mr; res) (11 rooms; mr; pf) [email protected] Windows from Gaza For Contemporary Art Tel: 274 1190, [email protected] Mob. 0599 781 227 - 0599 415 045 Tel: 628 4877, Fax: 626 4427 Sareyyet Ramallah - First Ramallah Group (FRG) [email protected] [email protected], www.mtolives.com Beit Ibrahim Guesthouse Tel: 295 2690 - 295 2706, Fax: 298 0583 Tel: 274 2613, Fax: 274 4250 [email protected], www.sareyyet.ps National Hotel (99 rooms; bf; cr; res; cf) Tel: 627 8880, Fax: 627 7007 [email protected] www.abrahams-herberge.com www.nationalhotel-jerusalem.com New Imperial Hotel (45 rooms) Bethlehem Hotel (209 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) Tel: 277 0702, Fax: 277 0706, [email protected] Tel: 627 2000, Fax: 627 1530 New Metropole Hotel (25 rooms; mr; res) Bethlehem Inn (36 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 274 2424, Fax: 274 2423 Tel: 628 3846, Fax: 627 7485 New Swedish Hostel Bethlehem Star Hotel (72 rooms; cf; bf; res) Tel: 274 3249 - 277 0285, Fax: 274 1494 Tel: 627 7855, Fax: 626 4124 [email protected]

82 83 Casanova Hospice (60 rooms; mr; res) Tel: 276 9921/2/3, Fax: 277 2244 RAMALLAH and AL-BIREH (02) Tel: 274 3981, Fax: 274 3540 [email protected] Palestine Plaza Hotel (100 rooms and suites; bf; www.saintmichaelhotel.com Al-A’in Hotel (24 rooms and suites; mr; cf) res; gym; cf) Casanova Palace Hotel (25 rooms; bf; res) Tel: 240 5925 - 240 4353, Fax: 240 4332 Tel: 274 2798, Fax: 274 1562 Santa Maria Hotel (83 rooms; mr; res) Tel: 294 6888, Fax: 297 3574 Tel: 276 7374/5/6, Fax: 276 7377, [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Dar Sitti Aziza Hotel Aladdin Hotel (27 rooms bf; mr; ter) Telefax: 274 4848 Shepherd Hotel Pension Miami (12 rooms) Tel: 240 7689, Fax: 240 7687, Mob. 0598 308 382 [email protected], www.darsittiaziza.com Tel: 274 0656, Fax: 274 4888 Telefax: 295 6808 [email protected], www.shepherdhotel.com [email protected], www.thealaddinhotel.com Ramallah Hotel (22 rooms; bf; mr; res) El-Beit Guest House (Beit Sahour) (15 rooms) Al-Bireh Tourist Hotel (50 rooms; cf; res) TeleFax: 277 5857, [email protected], www.elbeit.org Shepherds’ House Hotel (Facilities: Restaurant Tel: 295 3544, Fax: 295 5029 Telefax: 240 0803 Eman Regency Palace (55 rooms; su (1); cr; res) and Bar, WiFi) Reef Pension (Jifna village) (8 rooms; res) Tel: 275 9690, Fax: 275 9693 Al-Hajal Hotel (22 rooms; bf) Tel: 277 2010, Fax: 274 6808 Telefax: 2810881, www.reefhousepension.ps Telefax: 298 7858 [email protected], www.emanregencyhotel.ps St. Nicholas Hotel (25 rooms; res; mr) Retno Hotel (33 rooms & su; res; mr; gm; sp) Everest Hotel (19 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 274 3040/1/2, Fax: 274 3043 Al Hambra Palace (Hotel Suites and Resort) Telefax: 295 0022, [email protected] Tel: 295 6226 - 295 0031, Fax: 295 0032 www.retnohotel.com Tel: 274 2604, Fax: 274 1278 Saint Vincent Guest House (36 rooms) [email protected] Grand Hotel (107 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) Tel: 276 0967/8, Fax: 276 0970 Royal Court Suite Hotel (39 rooms; res; mr; ter; cf; pf; i) [email protected], www.saintvincentguesthouse.net www.alhambra-palace-hotel.com Tel: 296 4040, Fax: 296 4047 Tel: 274 1602 - 274 1440, Fax: 274 1604 [email protected] Talita Kumi Guest House (22 rooms; res; mr; cf) Al-Manara hotel (22 rooms) [email protected], www.rcshotel.com Tel: 298 8868, 298 8008 Golden Park Resort & Hotel (Beit Sahour) Tel: 274 1247, Fax: 274 1847 Summer Bar (Ankars Garden) White Diamond Hotel [email protected], www.almanarahotel.ps Tel: 295 2602 (66 rooms; res, bar, pool) AlZahra Suites Tel: 277 4414 Tel: 277 4041/2, Fax: 277 4010 Star Mountain Guesthouse (10 rooms; wifi; pf) [email protected] Tel: 242 3019 Grand Park Hotel Bethlehem (Has 110 rooms Tel: 296 2705, Telefax: 296 2715 Web site: whitediamond-hotel.com [email protected], www.alzahrasuites.ps [email protected] located in 7 floors, main restaurant, dining room, Zaituna Tourist Village Al-Wihdah Hotel Taybeh Golden Hotel conference room and bar.) Tel: 275 0655 Telefax: 298 0412 Tel: 289 9440, Fax: 970-2-289-9441 Tel: 275 6400, Fax: 276 3736 Ankars Suites and Hotel (40 Suites & Rooms, [email protected], www.grandpark.com JERICHO (02) www.taybehgoldenhotel.com su,mr,bf,cr,res,ter,cf,gm,pf) Holy Family Hotel (90 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res;) Al- Zaytouna Guest House (7 rooms; bf; res; mr) Tel: 295 2602, Fax: 295 2603, [email protected] GAZA STRIP (08) Tel: 277 3432/3, Fax: 274 8650 Telefax: 274 2016 Deir Hijleh Monastery Area: D Hostel (50 beds, 2 private appartments) Adam Hotel (76 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) [email protected] Tel: 994 3038, 0505 348 892 Mob: 0569 349 042, [email protected] www.holyfamilyhotel.com Telefax: 282 3521/19, Fax: 282 5580 Holy Land Hotel Auberg-Inn Bed & Breakfast Area D Hostel Al-Deira (22 Suits; cf; mr; res; ter) Tel: 0523 500 041, 0522 626 067 Mob: 0569 349 042, [email protected] Tel: 277 8962/3, Fax: 277 8961 Tel: 283 8100/200/300, Fax: 283 8400 [email protected], www.auberginn.ps [email protected], www.holylandhotel.net Beauty Inn [email protected], www.aldeira.ps House of Hope Guesthouse Hisham Palace Hotel Tel: 296 6477, Fax: 296 6479 Al Mashtal Hotel Tel: 232 2414, Fax: 232 3109 [email protected], www.beautyinn.ps Tel: 274 2325, Fax: 274 0928 Tel: 283 2500, Fax: 283 2510 [email protected] Oasis Jericho Hotel (181 rooms; su; bf; cf; mr; Best Eastern Hotel (91 rooms; cf; res) [email protected] res; ter; tb) Tel: 296 0450, Fax: 295 8452, [email protected] www.almashtalarcmedhotels.com House of Peace Hostel Almat’haf Hotel Tel: 276 4739, www.houseofpeace.hostel.com/ Tel: 231 1200, Fax: 231 1222 Caesar Hotel (46 rooms & su, 2 mr, cr, res, cf) Tel: 285 8444, Fax: 285 8440 Hosh Al-Syrian Guesthouse [email protected] Tel: 297 9400, Fax: 297 9401 Jericho Resort Village (92 rooms; 46 studios; bf; [email protected], www.caesar-hotel.ps [email protected], www.almathaf.ps Tel: 274 7529, [email protected] Al-Quds In­ter­na­tional Hotel (44 rooms; 2 suites; www.hoshalsyrian.com cf; mr; res) City Inn Palace Hotel (47 rooms; bf; cf; res) bf; mr; res) Jacir Palace Hotel - Bethlehem Tel: 232 1255, Fax: 232 2189 Tel: 240 8080, Fax: 240 8091 [email protected] [email protected], www.cityinnpalace.com Telefax: 282 5181, 282 6223, 286 3481, 282 2269 (250 rooms; su; bf; cf; mr; res) www.jerichoresorts.com Beach Hotel (25 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6770 Grand Park Hotel & Resorts (84 rooms; 12 grand Jerusalem Hotel (22 rooms) Telefax: 282 5492, 284 8433 Lutheran Guesthouse “Abu Gubran” suites; bf; cf; mr; res; sp; pf) Tel: 232 2444, Fax: 992 3109 Tel: 298 6194, Fax: 295 6950, [email protected] Commodore Gaza Hotel (60 rooms;su; bf) Tel: 277 0047, [email protected], www.diyar.ps Telepherique & Sultan Tourist Center Tel: 283 4400, Fax: 282 2623 Manger Square Hotel (220 Rooms; bf; cf; mr; Gemzo Suites (90 executive suites; cs; mr; pf; gm; res) (55 rooms) Tel: 240 9729, Fax: 240 9532 Gaza International Hotel (30 rooms; bf; cf; res) res; cr) Tel: 232 1590, Fax: 232 1598 [email protected], www.gemzosuites.net Tel: 283 0001/2/3/4, Fax: 283 0005 Tel: 277 8888, Fax: 277 8889 [email protected] [email protected] Garden Suites and Restaurant (22 suites (su, res, pf) Grand Palace Hotel (20 rooms; cr; mr; cf; res) Web: www.mangersquarehotel.com HEBRON (02) Tel: 298 8885, Fax: 298 8876, [email protected] Tel: 284 9498/6468, Fax: 284 9497 Nativity BELLS Hotel (95 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) Hebron Hotel Lavender Boutique Hotel ( 10 rooms, cf;mr;res) Marna House (17 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 282 2624, Fax: 282 3322 Tel: 274 8880, Fax: 274 8870 Tel: 225 4240 / 222 9385, Fax: 222 6760 Telefax: 297 7073 [email protected], www.nativitybellshotel.ps [email protected] [email protected] Palestine Hotel (54 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) Nativity Hotel (89 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) www.lavenderboutiquehotel.com Tel: Tel: 282 3355, Fax: 286 0056 NABLUS (09) Tel: 277 0650, Fax: 274 4083 Manarah Hotel JENIN (04) [email protected], www.nativity-hotel.com Al-Qaser Hotel (48 rooms; 7 regular suites, 1 royal Tel: 295 2122, Telefax: 295 3274 Olive Tree Hotel (20 rooms; 6 su; res; sp; bar; suite; bf; cf; mr; res) [email protected], www.manarahhotel.com.ps Cinema Jenin Guesthouse (7 rooms; 2 su) wifi-lobby) Tel: 2341 444, Fax: 2341 944 Merryland Hotel (25 rooms) Tel: 250 2455, Mob: 0599 317 968 Tel: 276 4660 Fax: 275 3807 [email protected], www.alqaserhotel.com Tel: 298 7176, Telefax: 298 7074 [email protected], www.cinemajenin.org [email protected] Al-Yasmeen Hotel & Souq (30 rooms; cf; mr; res) Mövenpick Hotel Ramallah (171 rooms and Su; Haddad Hotel & Resort Facebook: olive tree tourist village Tel: 233 3555 Fax: 233 3666 bf; mr; cr; res;ter; cf; gm; pf; sp) Tel: 241 7010/1/2, Fax: 241 7013 Paradise Hotel (166 rooms;cf;bf;mr;res;su;pf) [email protected], www.alyasmeen.com Tel: 298 5888, Fax: 298 533 [email protected] Tel: 274 4542/3 - 274 4544, [email protected] Asia Hotel (28 rooms, res) [email protected] www.haddadtourismvillage.com Assaraya Hotel Apartment Telefax: 238 6220 [email protected] North Gate Hotel Tel: 0599 713 124 / 0548 866 410 www.moevenpick-ramallah.com Tel: 243 5700, Fax: 243 5701 Chrystal Motel (12 rooms) [email protected], www.northgate-hotel.com [email protected] Telefax: 233 3281 Rocky Hotel (22 rooms; cf; res; ter) www.booking.com/hotel/ps/assaraya.eg.html International Friends Guesthouse (Hostel) (mr; Tel: 296 4470, Telefax: 296 1871 St. Antonio Hotel (36 rooms; mr; cf;res;pf) res; ter; cf; pf) Tel: 276 6221, Fax: 276 6220 Telfax: 238 1064 Saint Gabriel Hotel [email protected], www.guesthouse.ps Tel: 275 9990, Fax: 275 9991 Key: su = suites, bf = business facilities; mr = meeting rooms, cr = conference facilities; res = restaurant, [email protected] Saleem Afandi Hotel www.st-gabrielhotel.com Tel: 237 3338/9, Fax: 237 3340 ter = terrace bar; tb = turkish bath, cf = coffee shop; gm = gym; pf = parking facilities, sp = swimming pool www.saleemafandihotel.ps Saint Michael Hotel 84 85 King Gaspar Restaurant & Bar Jabal Quruntul Continental Cuisine Clara restaurant and pub (Italian, Asian and Mediterranean Cuisine) (Open Buffet) Mob: 0597 348 335 Tel: 276 5301, Fax: 276 5302 Tel: 232 2614, Fax: 232 2659 Dauod Basha Il’iliyeh Restaurant Continental Cuisine Limoneh Continental Cuisine Tel: 297 4655 r Tel: 277 0047 Tel: 231 2977, Fax: 231 2976 Dar 53 Bar and Restaurant Layal Lounge Snack Bar Mediterranean, Italian cuisine Tel: 275 0655 NABLUS (09) Mob. 0599 318 191, 0597 767 832 La Terrasse Middle Eastern and Darna Continental Cuisine Continental Cuisine Salim Afandi Barbecues and Oriental Tel: 295 0590/1 Lotus and Olive Garden Tel: 275 3678 Cuisine EAST JERUSALEM (02) BETHLEHEM (02) Tel: 237 1332 Diwan Art Coffee Shop Continental (Jerusalem Meridian Hotel) Middle Limoncello (Beit Jala) Cuisine Al-Diwan (Ambassador Hotel) Eastern and Continental Cuisine 1890 Restaurant (Beit-Jala) Tel: 275 8844, Fax: 275 8833 Qasr al-Jabi restaurant Tel: 296 6483 Middle Eastern, French, and Italian Cuisine Tel: 628 5212 Tel: 277 8779 Tel: 238 4180 Tel: 541 2213, Fax: 582 8202 [email protected] Little Italy Vintage (Royal Court) Nafoura Middle Eastern Menu Tel: 275 5161 Zeit Ou Zaater (Al-Yasmeen Hotel) International Cuisine Alhambra Palace Jerusalem Tel: 626 0034 Abu Eli Restaurant Middle Eastern Continental Cuisine and Pastries Tel: 296 4046 Restaurant & coffee shop and Barbecues Mariachi (Grand Hotel) Seafood and Tel: 238 3164, Fax: 233 3666 Tel: 626 3535, Fax: 6263737 Nakashian Gallery Café Tel. 274 1897 Mexican Cuisine Dream Restaurant and Pools [email protected] Tel: 627 8077 Tel: 274 1440, 274 1602/3 RAMALLAH AND AL-BIREH (02) (Jifna) Abu Shanab Restaurant Barbecues Fax: 274 1604 Al-Manakeesh Pizza & Pastries La Rotisserie (Notre Dame Tel: 274 2985 Tel: 201 1548, Mob. 0599 765 628 Tel: 585 6928 [email protected] Hotel) Gourmet Restaurant, European and Massina (Breakfast) 911 Café Mexican, Italian, Oriental Afteem Restaurant Oriental Cuisine Tel: 274 9110 Tel: 296 5911 Al-Shuleh Grill Shawerma and Mediterranean Menu Tel: 274 7940 Elite Coffee House Italian and Arabic Barbecues Tel: 627 9114, Fax: 627 1995 Noah’s Snack/ Ararat Hotel Andareen Pub Cuisine Tel: 627 3768 Al-Areesheh Palace (autumn Snack Food Mob: 0599 258 435 Tel: 296 5169 Dina Café Coffee and Pastry Tel: 749 888, Fax: 276 9887 Amigo Emil Middle Eastern, American, Tel: 626 3344 and winter) (Jacir Palace) Middle Al Falaha Msakhan and Taboun European Coffee Shop Coffee Indian, and Italian Cuisine Eastern and Barbecues Tel: 290 5124 and Sweets Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6154 Palmeras Gastropub Continental Tel: 628 8090, Fax: 626 1457 Panoramic Golden City Barbecues Cuisine Tel: 2951 7031, 296 6505 Tel: 628 4433, Fax: 627 5224 Telefax: 275 6622 Akasha Oriental Antonio’s (Ambassador Hotel) Al-Hakura Restaurant Middle Eastern Tel: 295 9333 Escape fresh, healthy food Middle Eastern, French, and Italian Cuisine and Fast Food Pasha’s Oriental Food Peace Restaurant & Bar Pasta, Tel: 295 9976, Mob: 0592 333 477 Tel: 541 2213 Tel: 582 5162, 532 8342 Tel: 277 3335 Allegro Italian Restaurant Seafood, Steaks & Middle Eastern Express Pizza American Pizza Arabesque, Poolside, and Patio Patisserie Suisse Fast Food and Al-Areesheh Tent (spring and Tel: 274 9990. Mob. 0598 154 800 (Mövenpick Hotel Ramallah) Italian Tel: 296 6566 fine cuisine Restaurants (American Colony Breakfast summer) (Jacir Palace) Middle Al-Riwaq Restaurant and Tel: 628 4377 Eastern and Barbecues Tel: 298 5888 Fakhr El-Din Lebanese Cuisine Hotel) Western and Middle Eastern Menu Coffee Shop snacks and cakes Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6154 Al- Riwaq All-day-dining Tel: 294 6800 Tel: 627 9777, Fax: 627 9779 Petra Restaurant Oriental Cuisine (Jacir Palace – InterContinental Tel: 627 7799 Al Makan Bar (Jacir Palace) restaurant (Mövenpick Hotel Fawanees Pastries and Fast Food Armenian Tavern Armenian and Bethlehem) Coffee Shop and Sandwiches Snack Bar Ramallah) International, Swiss and Tel: 298 7046 Middle Eastern Food Pizza House Pizza and Oriental Pastry Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6770 Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6754 Tel: 627 3854 Tel: 627 3970, 628 8135 Oriental cuisine Fatuta Reataurant Barbecues, (Birzeit) Al-Sammak Sea Food Roots Lounge (Beit Sahour) Tel: 298 5888 Mob. 0599 839 043 Askidinya Italian and French Cuisine Quick Lunch Tel: 0598 333 665 Tel: 532 4590 Tel: 628 4228 Restaurant Awjan Seafood, Breakfast, and Pizza, Coffee Fuego Mexican and Tapas Grill Tel: 277 0376, 2743530 The Tent Restaurant (Shepherds’ Tel: 29 59426 - 1700 999 888 Az-Zahra Oriental food and Pizza Fax: 277 0377 Shop, Lebanese and Italian Cuisine RIO Grill and Subs Italian and French Valley Village) Barbecues Tel: 297 1776 Tel: 628 2447 Cuisine Jasmine Café Balloons Coffee Shop and Pizza Tel: 277 3875, Fax: 277 3876 Tel: 583 5460 Andre’s Restaurant French and Tel: 295 0121 Borderline Restaurant Café Italian Tel: 275 0221, Fax: 277 7115 Sima Café and Oriental Menu Rossini’s Restaurant Bar French Tel: 275 2058 Italian Cuisine Janan’s Kitchen Tel: 532 8342 and Italian Cuisine Barbara Restaurant Tel: 296 6477/8 Tel: 297 5444 Tel: 628 2964 Tel: 274 0130 Singer Café Burghoulji Armenian and Middle Eastern [email protected] Mob. 0597 492 175 Angelo’s Western Menu and Pizza K5M - Caterers Cake and Sweets Tel: 628 2072, Fax: 628 2080 Philadelphia Restaurant Tel: 295 6408, 298 1455 Tel: 295 6813 Mediterranean Menu Beit Sahour Citadel Mediterranean St. George Restaurant Oriental Cardo Restaurant Continental Cuisine Tel: 532 2626, Fax: 532 2636 Cuisine Cuisine and Barbecues Ayysha Restaurant Oriental Cuisine Khuzama Restaurant Oriental Cuisine Tel: 627 0800 Tel: 277 7771 Tel: 274 3780, Fax: 274 1833 Tel: 296 6622 Tel: 298 8289 Shalizar Restaurant Middle Eastern, [email protected] Chinese Restaurant Chinese Cuisine Mexican, and Italian Cuisine Bonjour Restaurant and Café Azure Restaurant and Coffee La Vie Café Cafe, Bistro & Bar Tel: 626 3465, Fax: 626 3471 Tel: 582 9061 Coffee Shop and Continental Cuisine Tachi Chinese Chinese Cuisine Shop Continental Cuisine Tel: 296 4115 Tel: 274 0406 Tel: 274 4382 Telefax: 295 7850 Educational Bookshop Books The Gate Café Fresh Juices, Coffee, La Vista Café and Restaurant and Coffee and Tea Christmas Bells Restaurants Taboo – Restaurant and Bar Baladna Ice Cream Ice Cream and Oriental and Western Cuisine Tel: 627 5858 Tel: 627 4282 Oriental Cuisine Tel: 296 3271 Oriental and Continental Cuisine Soft Drinks Tel: 277 6336, Fax: 277 6337 Telefax: 295 6721 El Dorada Coffee Shop and The Scots Bistro Coffee and Pastry Tel: 274 0711, Mob: 0599 205 158 LEMON Palestine Internet Café Chocolates, Coffee, and Tel: 673 2401, Fax: 673 1711 Dar al-Balad Continental Cuisine Bel Mondo Italian Cuisine Tel: 296 6933 Internet Tel: 274 9073 The Square Restaurant and Tel: 298 6759 Tel: 626 0993 The Patio (Christmas Hotel) Oriental Coffee Shop Mediterranean Cuisine Level 5 Fusion European and European Menu Divano Café and Restaurant Tel: 274 9844 Caesar’s (Grand Park Hotel) Tel: 298 8686 Sarwa International Cuisine with Tel: 628 2588, 626 4418 Tel: 275 7276 Continental Cuisine Mediterranean Flavour [email protected] Zaitouneh (Jacir Palace) Continental Tel: 298 6194 Cann Espresso Arabic and Italian Tel: 627 4626 Turquoise Lebanese Restaurant Cuisine Cuisine Tel: 627 7232, Fax: 627 7233 Ewaan Restaurant (International Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6154 Café De La Paix French Cuisine Tel: 297 2125 Four Seasons Restaurants and Cuisine) Tel: 298 0880 Versavee Bistro (Bar and Café) Tel: 274 3737 Mac Simon Pizza and Fast Food Coffee Shop Barbecues and Shawerma Oriental and Western Food JERICHO (02) Casper & Gambini’s Palestine Tel: 297 2088 Tel: 628 6061, Fax: 628 6097 Tel: 627 6160 Fawda Cafe Tel: 298 8262 Hosh Al-Syrian Guesthouse Al-Nafoura Restaurant (Jericho Martini Bar (Caesar Hotel) Gallery Café Snacks and Beverages Victoria Restaurant Middle Eastern Tel: 274 7529 Castana Café Tel: 297 9400 Tel: 540 9974 Resort Village) Arabic Cuisine and Tel: 297 1114 and Arabic Menu Grotto Restaurant Barbecues and Mr. Donuts Café Donuts and Coffee Garden’s Restaurant Tel: 628 3051, Fax: 627 4171 Barbecues Taboon Tel: 232 1255, Fax: 232 2189 Castello Restaurant & Café Shop Tel: 581 6463 Wake up Restaurant Tel: 274 8844, Fax: 274 8889 Oriental Tel: 240 7196 Goodies Fast Food Tel: 627 8880 Al-Rawda Barbecues Tel: 297 3844/55 Golden Roof Continental Cuisine Telefax: 232 2555 Mr. Fish Seafood Tel: 585 3223 Zad Rest. & Café Tel: 274 3224 Chinese House Restaurant Tel: 295 9555 Kan Zaman (Jerusalem Hotel) Tel: 627 7454, 627 2525 Green Valley Park Oriental Cuisine Chinese Cuisine Tel: 296 4081 Mr. Pizza Pizza and Fast Food Mediterranean Cuisine and Barbecues Tel: 240 3016, 240 8182 Tel: 627 1356 Tel: 232 2349 86 87 Muntaza Restaurant and Garden Samer Middle Eastern Food Zam’n Premium Coffee Barbecues and Sandwiches Tel: 240 5338 - 240 3088 Masyoun Coffee Shop Style Tel: 295 6835 Scoop Tel: 298 1033 Na3Na3 Café Italian and Oriental Tel: 295 9189 Zarour Bar BQ Barbecues and Oriental p Cuisine Cuisine Sangria’s French, Italian, and Mexican Tel: 296 4606 Cuisine Tel: 295 6767, 296 4480 Fax: 296 4357 Nai Resto Café - Argeeleh Tel: 295 6808 Mob: 0595 403 020 Shishapresso Zeit ou Zaater Pastries and Snacks Tel: 295 4455 Newz Bar Lounge and “Le Gourmet” Tel: 296 6060 pastries’ corner Sinatra Gourmet Italian and American Ziryab Barbecues, Italian, and Oriental Cuisine Cuisine Mövenpick Hotel Ramallah Tel: 297 1028 Tel: 295 9093 Tel: 298 5888 Sindyan Restaurant and café Osama’s Pizza Pizza and Fast Food Tel: 298 9575 GAZA STRIP (08) Tel: 295 3270 Sky Bar (Ankars Suites and Hotel) Al Daar Barbecues Orjuwan Lounge Palestinian-Italian Continental Cuisine Tel: 288 5827 Fusion Tel: 295 2602 Tel: 297 6870 Al-Deira Mediterranean Cuisine Sky Gate Terrace and Bar Tel: 283 8100/200/300 Rama café Resto/Bar Tel: 294 6888, Fax: 297 3574 Fax: 2838400 Tel: 298 5376 Sushi Restaurant (Caesar Hotel) Almat’haf Mediterranean Cuisine Palestine Revolving Restaurant Tel: 297 9400 Tel: 285 8444, Fax: 285 8440 (23rd floor, Palestine Trade Tower) Tel: 294 6888, Fax: 297 3574 Mövenpick Hotel Ramallah Al-Molouke Shawerma Tel: 298 5888 Tel: 286 8397 PASTICHE Palestine Tel: 298 5755 Stones Continental Cuisine Al-Salam Seafood Tel: 296 6038 Tel: 282 2705, Telefax: 283 3188 Peter’s Place Restaurant & Bar Tabash (Jifna Village) Barbecues Avenue (Taybeh) Palestinian Cuisine Tel: 281 0932 Tel: 288 2100, 288 3100 Tel: 289 8054, Mob: 0547 043 029 Tal El-Qamar Roof Middle Eastern and Big Bite Fastfood Pesto Café and Restaurant Italian Cuisine Western Menu Tel: 283 3666 Tel: 297 0705, 297 0706 Tel: 298 7905/ 6 Carino’s Tel: 286 6343, Fax: 286 6353 Pizza Inn Pizza and Fast Food TCHE TCHE Tel: 298 1181/2/3 Tel: 296 4201 LATERNA Tel: 288 9881, Fax: 288 9882 Philadelphia Restaurant Middle THE Q GARDEN Roof-top Eastern Menu garden International Cusine Light House Tel: 295 1999 Tel: 295 7727 Tel: 288 4884 Philistia Restaurant & Catering Tomasso’s Pizza and Fast Food Marna House Palestinian cuisine Tel: 240 9991/ 2 Telefax: 282 3322, 282 2624 Tel: 298 9051 Tropicana Mexican Cuisine, Oriental Mazaj Coffee House Plaza Jdoudna Restaurant and Menu, and Zarb Tel: 286 8035 Park Middle Eastern Menu Tel: 297 5661 Tel: 295 6020, Fax: 296 4693 Mazaj Resturant UpTown (Ankars Suites and Tel: 282 5003, Fax: 286 9078 Pronto Resto-Café Italian Cuisine Hotel) Continental Cuisine Tel: 298 7312 Tel: 295 2602 Orient House Telefax: 282 8008, 282 8604 QMH Values Restaurant International and Tel: 297 34511 Seafood Roots - The Club Oriental Cuisine Tel: 296 6997 Tel: 288 8666, 282 3999, 282 3777 Roma Café Italian Light Food Tel: 296 4228 Vatche’s Garden Restaurant Abu Mazen Restaurant European Style Tel: 221 3833, Fax: 229 3111 Rukab’s Ice Cream Ice Cream and Tel: 296 5966, 296 5988 Soft Drinks Al Quds Restaurant Tel: 295 3467 Zam’n Premium Coffee Coffee Tel: 229 7773, Fax: 229 7774 Shop Style Saba Sandwiches Falafel and Tel: 295 0600 Golden Rooster Sandwiches Telefax: 221 6115 Tel: 296 0116 Zaki Taki Sandwiches Tel: 296 3643 Hebron Restaurant Telefax: 222 7773 Orient House Restaurant Telefax: 221 1525 Royal Restaurant Tel: 222 7210

Map Source: PalMap - GSE © Copyright to GSE and PalMap Map source, designer and publisher: GSE - Good Shepherd Engineering & Computing P.O.Box 524, 8 Jamal Abdel Nasser St., Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine Tel: +970 2 274 4728 / Fax: +970 2 275 1204 (Also +972) [email protected] / www.gsecc.com / www.palmap.org

88 89 j

90 91 b

92 93 R AMALLAH and AL-BIREH

94 95 J ERICHO

96 97 t Online Justice

I often play online games on my laptop. I play with people from all over the world whom I don’t even know, and my profile picture is, of course, the Palestinian flag! Does the flag stir a reaction? Well, almost always. I am pleased when I get the thumbs-up icon, or Viva Palestina! I estimate that 30 to 40 percent of the comments I get are supportive of Palestine; some are quite heartwarming in fact. The other reactions, however, are not only vicious but extremely harsh; clearly a reflection of the commentator’s utter anger at seeing the Palestinian flag, which obviously hits a raw nerve. As one would expect, the anti-Palestinian comments all boil down to associating Palestinians with violence, and specifically with terrorism. When this happens, the online game switches to being an online fight! More importantly, though, is my point that Palestinians are still stigmatized by many as terrorists. Paradoxically, on the other hand, Palestinians across the board feel that they have been subjected to possibly the greatest injustice in human history. An exaggeration, no doubt, when we consider what the Spaniards did to the Mayan and the Aztec peoples or what the Americans did to the Native Peoples. In the Palestinian psyche, however, they have been the victims of grave injustice. The cherry on top is to be labeled terrorists! What went wrong and how we got to this point is beyond the scope of this short column; but no matter how long it takes, I believe that the Palestinian narrative will eventually prevail and justice will be attained. My consolation comes from the amazing perseverance of Palestinians, sumud, and their staunch adherence to their cause. The new generations of Palestinians are even more adamant than the older ones – a point that gives us hope. Justice is possibly the single, most basic human-rights demand of all Palestinians. Rather than speaking of the problematic political reality, many activists, in fact, only emphasize the human-rights dimension, given that it’s the language most easily understood by the West. The local Palestinian, however, is not concerned with macro (in)justice; rather it is the daily obscene humiliation that practically all Palestinians endure at checkpoints and elsewhere. It is the confiscation of the farmer’s piece of land, the degrading wait to get a permit to go and pray in Jerusalem or to go visit a family member in an Israeli prison. The list is long, but this is the typical yearning of the average Palestinian day in, day out. Plato, John Locke, and other philosophers all argue that the concept of justice is universal and even a natural law that should be attained sooner or later. I’d like to believe that. I also like the quote on justice from the late Desmond Tutu: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” Finally, the words of Bobby Sands sum up my sentiments quite well, although I would replace the word “revenge” with “poetic justice.” “Revenge will be the laughter of our children.” At the end of the online game, I normally say: “Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to pick a fight you can’t win?” Peace to all.

Sani P. Meo Publisher

98