Our best friend screwed up this time. For how long can we turn a blind eye? Of course unless we are a culprit with Israel.
1769. To Israel
• The Mission recommends that Israel immediately cease the border closures and
restrictions of passage through border crossings with the Gaza Strip and allow passage of
goods necessary and sufficient to meet the needs of the population, for the recovery and
reconstruction of housing and essential services and for the resumption of meaningful
economic activity in the Gaza Strip.
• The Mission recommends that Israel cease the restrictions on access to the sea for fishing
purposes imposed on the Gaza Strip and allow such fishing activities within the 20
nautical miles as provided for in the Oslo accords. It further recommends that Israel
allow the resumption of agricultural activity within the Gaza Strip, including within areas
in the vicinity of the borders with Israel.
• Israel should initiate a review of the rules of engagement, standard operating procedures,
open fire regulations and other guidance for military and security personnel. The Mission
recommends that Israel avail itself of the expertise of the ICRC, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other relevant bodies, and Israeli
experts, civil society organizations with the relevant expertise and specialization, in order
to ensure compliance in this respect with international humanitarian law and international
human rights law. In particular such rules of engagement should ensure that the principles
of proportionality, distinction, precaution and non-discrimination are effectively
integrated in all such guidance and in any oral briefings provided to officers, soldiers and
security forces, so as to avoid the recurrence of Palestinian civilian deaths, destruction
and affronts on human dignity in violation of international law.
• The Mission recommends that Israel allow freedom of movement for Palestinians within
the OPT - within the West Bank including East Jerusalem, between the Gaza Strip and
the West Bank and between the OPT and the outside world - in accordance with
international human rights standards and international commitments entered into by Israel
and the representatives of the Palestinian people. The Mission further recommends that
Israel forthwith lifts travel bans currently placed on Palestinians by reason of their human
rights or political activities.
• The Mission recommends that Israel release Palestinians who are detained in Israeli
prisons in connection with the occupation. The release of children should be an utmost
priority. The Mission further recommends that Israel cease the discriminatory treatment
of Palestinian detainees. Family visits for prisoners from Gaza should resume.
• Israel should forthwith cease interference with national political processes in the OPT,
and as a first step release all members of the Palestinian Legislative Council currently in
detention and allow all members of the PLC to move between Gaza and the West Bank
so that the Council may resume functioning
• The Government of Israel should cease actions aimed at limiting the expression of
criticism by civil society and members of the public concerning Israel’s policies and
conduct during the military operations in the Gaza Strip. The Mission also recommends
that Israel set up an independent inquiry to assess whether the treatment by Israeli judicial
authorities of Palestinian and Jewish Israelis expressing dissent in connection with the
offensive was discriminatory, both in terms of charges and detention pending trial. The results of the inquiry should be made public and, subject to the findings, appropriate
remedial action should be taken.
• The Government of Israel should refrain from any action of reprisal against Palestinian
and Israeli individuals and organizations that have cooperated with the UN Fact Finding
Mission on the Gaza Conflict, in particular individuals who have appeared at the Public
Hearings held by the Mission in Gaza and Geneva and expressed criticism of actions by
the State of Israel.
• The Mission recommends that Israel reiterates its commitment to respect the inviolability
of UN premises and personnel and that it undertakes all appropriate measures to ensure
that there is no repetition of violations in the future (ref Convention on Privileges and
Immunities of the UN). It further recommends that reparation to the United Nations be
provided fully and without further delay by the State of Israel, and that the General
Assembly consider this matter.
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