Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

A woman and a child made homeless after the destruction of their home, Gaza, January 2009. � Amnesty International The human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (the Gaza Strip and West Bank, including East Jerusalem) has deteriorated to an unprecedented level.

The undercurrent of violence, abuses of fundamental human rights and disregard for international humanitarian law that have marked over 40 years of Israeli military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip become firmly entrenched and relentless.

Civilians in both Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories have suffered the most from confrontations.

The Israeli authorities' blockade of the Gaza Strip is on-going. Much of the dividing wall being constructed in the West Bank is on Palestinian land, meaning it is in breach of international law. Palestinians cannot move freely in the Occupied Territories and those living in Israel and the West Bank live under constant threat of their homes being demolished.

The Israeli army uses excessive, sometimes lethal, force against protestors in the West Bank and civilians in border areas of the Gaza Strip, often detaining them without charge or trial. Violence against Palestinians in the West Bank is increasing but perpetrators frequently escape justice.

Read about Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in our 2013 Annual Report

Israel/Gaza conflict - our researcher in Gaza city

Our crisis response researcher Donatella Rovera has been on the ground in Gaza since the ceasefire began on 21 November 2012. Her first report from Gaza city once again shows civilians bearing the brunt of brutal attacks - families searching in rubble for lost loved ones, homes destroyed and children killed. We are calling for an independent investigation into these attacks so that the perpetrators of any human rights violations can be brought to justice.

Read Donatella's dispatch from Gaza city

Palestinian bid for UN membership: The human rights implications

National flags of the members states outside the United Nations Secretariat building, United Nations, New York, 23 September 2008. © UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe As part of its strategy to seek broader recognition of a Palestinian state, in September 2011 the Palestinian Authority requested full membership of the United Nations.

In October 2011 the United Nations cultural organisation UNESCO admitted Palestine as a member. The US government joined Israel in opposing this move and subsequently cut its funding on the UN body.

We do not take a position on the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or on issues of statehood, but whatever the UN decides will have important implications for human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Any UN resolution, initiative or agreement must fully respect the human rights of Palestinians and Israelis.

Palestinian communities at risk in the West Bank

Twenty Palestinian communities, including some of the poorest in the West Bank, are at risk of being removed from their homes. If the plan goes ahead it will be with a complete lack of consultation and against the wishes of the residents who will be relocated to a site just 300 metres away from one of the main rubbish dumps serving Jerusalem. The Israeli authorities would be breaking international law.

Gaza: Don't let war criminals get away with murder

Young palestinians in front of destroyed buildings, Gaza, 1 January 2009 � Sharif Sarhan Victims of the Gaza conflict are still being denied justice, truth and reparations due to the ongoing failure of the international community to effectively challenge impunity.