Author Archives: Yusra Odeh

On International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2024, Palestinians face famine and unprecedent poverty levels due to the Israeli Occupying Power measures.

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed on October 17, reminds us of the global need to unite efforts to fight poverty. However, in Gaza and the West Bank, the situation has worsened dramatically in the past year.

A May 2024 World Bank Report indicated that half a million jobs had been lost by the Palestinian economy since October 2023. This includes an estimated loss of 200,000 jobs in the Gaza Strip, 144,000 jobs in the West Bank, and 148,000 by Palestinians from the West Bank employed in the Israeli labor market.

A further World Bank Update of September 2024 indicates that the economic and social conditions in Palestine have deteriorated to the extent that nearly the entire population of Gaza living in poverty. It also indicates that in the West Bank, a sharp economic contraction since late 2023 has caused a dramatic rise in poverty, with the short-term poverty rate more than doubling from 12% to 28% by mid-2024. These trends indicate a deepening crisis with long-term repercussions for the population.

In Gaza, 2.3 million Palestinians have been trapped by Israel for over a year in an active war zone subjected to constant bombings, shelling, destruction of housing, infrastructure and healthcare facilities, displaced over and over again, with no hope for safety from harm even while being treated in hospitals. Due to severe Israeli restrictions imposed on goods and supplies allowed into Gaza, and total blockades of all of the Gaza Strip or parts of it (at the moment, northern Gaza), all Gaza residents have been exposed to famine conditions, and some of its most vulnerable have starved to death. Thus, the latest UN-partnered IPC report indicates that 96% of the population, approximately 2.15 million people, are experiencing acute food insecurity at a “crisis” level or higher, categorized as level three on the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) index.

On this day, as the world focuses on ending poverty, it is crucial to recognize that in Gaza and the West Bank, and the surrounding region, this can only be achieved through upholding international law, and mobilizing all efforts to achieve peace, justice and prosperity, starting with the imposition of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, and a clear plan to end the illegal Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

On the occasion of #WorldTeachersDay, celebrated on October 5, the Democracy and Workers’ Rights would like to highlight some facts and figures provided by the Palestinian Ministry of Education that show the devastating impact of one year of war on #Gaza waged with total and flagrant disregard of the most fundamental norms of international humanitarian law.

We denounce #Israel‘s systematic destruction of the Palestinian education system in Gaza in blatant violation of the Geneva conventions. Over 530 educational staff & 11,109 students at Palestinian schools & universities in #Gaza have been killed since October 2023, and over 3675 staff and 17639 students injured.

We also denounce constant attacks against educational facilities in the West Bank, especially against schools that serve Bedouin & herding communities against whom the Israeli occupying power, in collusion with and/or through protecting the actions of armed Israeli settlers, is implementing a plan of accelerated ethnic cleansing.

In addition to the numerous rules that prohibit the targeting of civilians, civilian objects and facilities, the 4th Geneva Convention also stipulates that “The Occupying Power shall, with the co-operation of the national and local authorities, facilitate the proper working of all institutions devoted to the care and education of children”. (art. 50). Yet in Gaza, educational facilities and school have been subject to massive destruction and damage through Israeli bombing and shelling, including while providing shelter to displaced persons. For the second year on a row, teachers and students were unable to return to their classrooms. In the West Bank, schools and universities have also been subjected to attacks and vandalism. There is no safe work environment for Palestinian teachers, not in the Gaza Strip and not in the West Bank. Yet, they all persevere in their noble educational mission. In Gaza, teaching takes place online and in educational points set up for this purpose until formal education can be resumed. In the West Bank, where governmental teachers have not been paid their full wages for months, teachers and administrators do their best under extremely difficult circumstances to ensure that schools, training centers and higher education institutions continue to educate Palestine’s children and youth, and provide vocational training and continuous education opportunities to adults.

We salute all the courageous teachers, who brave the dangers of arrest, injury and death, to show up every day in their classrooms and hold class in the worst of conditions, and all the other dedicated staff of educational institutions. We call for continued solidarity and action from the international labor movement and global unions to protect Palestinian teachers and other educational institutions staff, uphold international law and bring perpetrators of violations to justice.

#WorldTeachersDay2024

Ramallah’s Commerce and Industry Department and the Governorate of Al-Bireh completed a training course on professional health and safety standards, workplace injuries, and first aid procedures.
Ramallah’s Commerce and Industry Department and the Governorate of Al-Bireh conducted a training course on occupational health and safety standards, workplace injuries, and first aid procedures.

The three-day seminar had 28 participants representing Palestinian establishments in Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate. The sessions were led by legal consultant Samah Fraikhneh from the Democracy and Workers’ Rights Center, who over two days offered exceptional training on professional safety and health regulations, workplace injury laws, and decisions regarding occupational health and safety committees and supervisors. On the third day, paramedic Bassam Harish of the Red Crescent Society led the training.

At the end of the training, Mr. Ayman Maimi, Director of the Entrepreneurship and Business Development Center at the Chamber of Commerce, and Ms. Huwida Ahmed, Coordinator of the Legal Department at the Democracy and Workers’ Rights Center, handed out certificates to the participants.

On September 17, World Patient Safety Day aims to raise global awareness about the importance of patient safety in healthcare. In Palestine, this year’s focus is mainly affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis due to the Israel’s war on Gaza and military operations in the West Bank. In this context, primary concerns for patient safety are about ensuring access to basic medical care and protecting health infrastructure from damage or restoring its functionality as fast as possible after attacks.

Gaza’s healthcare system is on the brink of collapse due to the blockade and repeated Israeli attacks against health facilities, staff and vehicles. With more than 100,000 casualties as reported by OCHA, the healthcare system is overwhelmed by the massive loads of patients, far exceeding its capacity. According to OCHA, health facilities are severely compromised, with 58% of hospitals non-functional, and those still operating are at 359% capacity. 885 health care workers have been killed since October 2023 according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, which increases the workload on those remaining. Constant attacks on healthcare facilities have severely affected the ability to treat patients, whether they are injured in the conflict or suffering from chronic illnesses. In addition, medical staff are operating under extreme conditions, with hospitals suffering from a lack of electricity, clean water, and adequate sanitation. This has increased the risk of infections, such as sepsis, which is responsible for high mortality rates in conflict zones. For the first time in 25 years, a case of polio has been confirmed and a vast vaccination campaign has been launched in an attempt to vaccinate more than 600,000 children at risk of developing the disease in the Gaza Strip. Around 995,000 cases of acute respiratory infections have been recorded, 577,000 cases of acute watery diarrhea, and 107,000 cases of acute jaundice symptoms. Famine and chronic acute malnutrition increase greatly the risks of diseases and infections.

The war on Gaza has also significantly worsened the situation for patients with chronic diseases, who already faced limited access to healthcare. Before the conflict, around 50% of the population in Gaza depended on the public health system for managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Since October 7, the situation has deteriorated further.

The blockade on Gaza has critically worsened the healthcare crisis by preventing patients with severe injuries and chronic illnesses from leaving the strip for essential medical treatments. According to HRW, before the war, over 2,000 patients were referred annually for specialized care, such as cancer therapies and heart surgeries, which are unavailable locally. However, the ongoing closure of border crossings has trapped thousands of critically injured patients in Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals, which face severe shortages of specialized care and essential medications. Only 41% of critically injured patients had their requests for evacuation approved, and only 35% have actually been evacuated. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports that 30% of necessary medications for chronic diseases are now inaccessible, leading to an alarming rise in preventable deaths. The combination of war-related destruction and the blockade has plunged Gaza’s healthcare system into a dire humanitarian crisis.

On the other hand, Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons are facing severe neglect in terms of healthcare, with many being denied proper medical treatment, leading to preventable deaths. Reports indicates that prisoners with chronic illnesses or injuries are often left without timely access to hospitals or specialized care, exacerbating their health conditions. This denial of care violates basic human rights and international laws on the treatment of prisoners. On World Patient Safety Day, which emphasizes the importance of safety and access to healthcare for all, it is crucial to highlight the situation of these prisoners. The lack of suitable medical care in prisons directly contravenes the global principles of patient safety and human dignity.

DWRC stands in solidarity with healthcare staff, patients and their families, and strongly condemns the attacks on the Palestinian healthcare system and devastation that has left hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians, including vulnerable patients, without access to essential healthcare. As an organization dedicated to upholding human rights and social justice, we are deeply concerned about the severe impact this conflict has had on Gaza’s already fragile healthcare system, especially on the safety and well-being of patients, as well as the rapid deterioration of access to healthcare in the West Bank due to repeated attacks against medical facilities and vehicles, and isolation of communities.

On World Patient Safety Day, we stress that patient safety is not just about medical care, but also about the protection of essential human rights, including access to life-saving treatment and healthcare during times of war and conflict as guaranteed by the most fundamental rules of international humanitarian law. We call for immediate international action to protect the rights and safety of Gaza’s civilians, particularly patients whose lives depend on consistent medical care. We urge for the lifting of the blockade to allow the evacuation of casualties and access to medical supplies. On this day of global awareness, we would like to emphasize that the right to health is a fundamental human right that must be defended for all.

On the occasion of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, DWRC calls for the international community and global unions to mobilize to safeguard Palestinian’s right to education

The International Day to Protect Education from Attack, established by the UN in 2020, highlights the urgent need to safeguard schools, teachers, and students in conflict zones. Education is a basic right, yet conflicts often target educational institutions, depriving children of learning opportunities.

In Gaza, over fifteen years of blockade and repeated wars have severely damaged the education system, creating long-term challenges for both students and teachers. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), 117 schools and universities have been completely destroyed during the ongoing war on Gaza, while 332 more have been partially damaged. While 2,459 government, private, and United Nations-run schools welcomed more than 806,360 students in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, who started their school year today, around 630,000 children in Gaza continue to be deprived from their right to education and safety. They have already been prevented from attending school for the entire schoolyear 2023/2024. The Palestinian Ministry of Education indicated that more than 10,000 students in Gaza have been killed and 15,000 wounded as a result of Israeli attacks since last October. The Ministry also said that at least 400 teachers were killed in Gaza, and 90% of school buildings damaged, adding that 39,000 Gaza students were unable to take their high school exams last June, and 58,000 children have been denied from starting their first-grade education.

In the West Bank, attacks by the Israeli occupying power against schools and higher education institutions, children of school age, students, teachers, professors and employees of the Palestinian education system, have been ongoing for years and have increased since October 7, 2023. Schools in area C that serve Palestinian Bedouin and herding communities are particularly at risk of attacks and demolition, as part of Israeli measures for completing the ethnic cleansing of vast areas of the West Bank. Six schools belonging to Palestinian Bedouin communities were demolished in 2023. The Ministry of Education indicated that 69 schools have been vandalized over the past year. The brutal repression and the severe restrictions on movement for Palestinians between Palestinian localities inside the occupied West Bank, and constant Israeli settler attacks, have made it impossible for many children and students to reach classrooms for days or weeks, and have forced others to face great risks for simply going to school. The Palestinian Ministry of Education reported that 78 pupils were killed, 419 injured and 209 arrested. These attacks have consequences that go beyond physical injury. Students experience psychological trauma that affects their ability to concentrate, and teachers carry on with their profession, while experiencing fear and grief. Long-term disruptions to education result in learning gaps and negatively impact future opportunities.

The Palestinian education system has also been severely affected by Israel’s constant withholding of funds that are owed to the Palestinian Authority, leading to an incapacity to pay governmental employees’ salaries in full, and fulfill commitments to increase teachers’ wages. Low pay and lack of consideration have led Palestinian governmental teachers to go on strike for weeks in recent years. Palestinian non-governmental universities have also been facing recurrent financial crises due to lack of governmental support and the inability of many students and their families to pay fees, which has worsened due to the unprecedented economic crisis caused by Israeli collective punishment measures after October 7. Palestinian universities have also been affected by Israeli attempts to isolate them from the global academic community, notably through access restriction for foreign academics and students.

Thus, on the occasion of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, DWRC urges the international community and global unions to take action to ensure education is protected in all conflict zones, while giving special attention to the safeguarding of Palestinian’s right to education, especially in the Gaza Strip. This requires stopping the destruction of schools and providing the necessary support for rebuilding the educational infrastructure, and the lives of students and teachers. Education is highly valued by Palestinian society. For decades, it has been a main tool and strategy for social advancement and empowerment, for boys and girls, enabling Palestinians to show great resilience in facing the

hardships of living under a protracted illegal occupation and being denied their right to self-determination and return, as UN resolutions to this effect remain unimplemented. Education in the occupied Palestinian territories is under attack because of its importance for Palestinian society and identity, and thus safeguarding it must be a priority of the international community.

On this International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, we are reminded of the heartbreaking reality faced by the people of #Gaza, where the brutal war has not only claimed thousands of lives but has also led to enforced disappearances. Families are left in anguish, unsure whether their loved ones are dead or alive, as many are forcibly taken or go missing amidst the chaos. In Gaza, enforced disappearances are yet another weapon of war, used to strip individuals and communities of their security and hope. As we honor the victims worldwide and stand in solidarity with their families, we must also highlight the ongoing devastation in Gaza, where entire families are torn apart, and many are left with no answers. The number of Palestinian victims of enforced disappearance by the Israeli occupying power are estimated to be in the thousands; they include Gaza workers with permits, who had been in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023*, health workers abducted from hospitals, human rights defenders, journalists, women, children and the elderly. Now more than ever, we must raise our voices for those who have disappeared and demand justice for the people of Gaza.

You can take action to demand the release of all those arbitrarily detained and held incommunicado in violation of the most fundamental rules of international humanitarian and human rights law by raising the issue in and through your union, political party, faith group, or any other representative body or movement of which you are a member, and/or take part in the advocacy actions launched by Amnesty International in many countries on behalf of Palestinian victims and victims from other countries.

#EndEnforcedDisappearances#EndIsraeliImpunity

* Note: Although over 4000 Gazan workers were released by Israel into the Gaza Strip after weeks or months of illegal detention, mistreatment and torture, without access to legal counsel or ICRC visits, the chaos caused by the mass displacement of over 90% of Gaza’s population, the ongoing war, as well as Israel’s policy of holding Gaza detainees incommunicado, makes it impossible to ascertain if all Gaza workers are accounted for or not.