CWLRCP Calls on International Community to Criminalize Occupation Violence Against Women in Palestine

November 25th marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women globally. This year, the occasion arrives amidst a worsening situation of violence directed at women in Palestinian society in various forms, especially violence perpetrated by the Israeli occupation. This violence has resulted in the deaths of 13 women, and injuries to approximately 191 others, with lasting disabilities expected from these wounds. Women are also grieving the loss of their children, with around 37 children killed and approximately 315 injured. Furthermore, hundreds of women have lost shelter and housing due to the demolition of about 963 homes and the displacement of families from their damaged houses as a result of the brutal aggression on the Gaza Strip.

These crimes are part of a recurring series of offenses committed daily by the Israeli occupation against Palestinian women in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. These offenses include security and economic blockades, the restriction of freedom of movement and travel, the confiscation of land, the demolition of homes, the displacement of families from their towns, and the revocation of identity cards for Jerusalem residents. All these crimes are being committed within sight and hearing of the world and the United Nations organizations, which have issued international agreements and covenants against violence against women, foremost among them the Universal Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. These crimes are also occurring within sight of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who issued Security Council Resolution 1325, which calls for the protection of women and their inclusion in peace negotiations to stop wars and armed conflicts.

The international community and friendly peoples are called upon today to work to stop the occupation’s violence against Palestinian women and to prosecute war criminals who commit the most heinous crimes against humanity. The Secretary-General of the United Nations and all United Nations institutions must fulfill their international role to respect the international agreements and covenants they issue, and direct their clear and public condemnation at Israel and prosecute its officials for committing crimes against Palestinian women.