The international community continues to turn a blind eye to
Israel’s violations of international law and the abuse of human
rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), Oxfam said
today. The billions of dollars in humanitarian and
development aid will have little sustainable, long-term impact
while the occupation – which started 50th years ago this week -
remains in place. Chris Eijkemans, Oxfam said: “There are few
examples of poverty or injustice in the Occupied...Request free trial
The international community continues to turn a blind eye to
Israel’s violations of international law and the abuse of human
rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), Oxfam said
today.
The billions of dollars in humanitarian and development aid will
have little sustainable, long-term impact while the occupation –
which started 50th years ago this week - remains in
place.
Chris Eijkemans, Oxfam said: “There are few examples of poverty or
injustice in the Occupied Palestinian Territory that do not stem
from the occupation. If it weren’t for the occupation, most aid
agencies would not need to be here. The issues facing Palestinians
are enormous and complex, but on each count, despite the billions
of dollars invested, the lives of Palestinians cannot meaningfully
improve as long as the occupation persists.”
Despite the Occupied Palestinian Territory being one of the highest
per capita recipients of aid in the world in recent decades, the
economy, security and many development indicators have declined.
This is due to a fundamental failure to ensure that aid commitments
are underpinned by diplomatic and political pressure to end
violations and allow Palestinians to claim their rights.
These Band-Aid humanitarian solutions will continue to be needed,
unless the root-cause of these injustices - the occupation -
ends.
Eijkemans said: “The international community shoulders a large
portion of the blame for the ongoing situation faced by 4.5 million
Palestinians living in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and must
take clear and urgent action.
“Toothless condemnation of the litany of abuses is not enough.
Settlement expansion, disproportionate use of violence, forcible
transfer, restriction of movement, confiscation of land,
destruction of homes and collective punishment are illegal acts.
Governments have a choice: they can either challenge or entrench
these ongoing violations.
“Israel has no incentive to end the occupation while it bears no
tangible cost for its violations. We must do more to find a
solution that brings justice and peace for both Israelis and
Palestinians.”
