{"id":45830,"date":"2014-08-11T12:00:50","date_gmt":"2014-08-11T11:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=45830"},"modified":"2015-05-05T21:30:44","modified_gmt":"2015-05-05T20:30:44","slug":"palestinian-open-letter-to-unsg-ban-ki-moon-on-gaza","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2014\/08\/palestinian-open-letter-to-unsg-ban-ki-moon-on-gaza\/","title":{"rendered":"Palestinian Open Letter to UNSG Ban Ki-moon on Gaza"},"content":{"rendered":"

[Prefatory Note: Below is the text of an Open Letter to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon alleging his\u00a0inappropriate responses to the carnage and massacres taking place in Gaza, and by his behavior undermining respect for and the authority of the United Nations and international law. Given such a performance, the challenge posed to the highest ranking UN official is to revise his past comments on the Israeli attack or to resign his office. The peoples of the world, and not just the Palestinians, have a paramount interest in holding morally, legally, and politically accountable the UN and those who lead and represent the organization in response to such breaches of the peace and acts of aggression in accordance with law and justice, and never more so than when such unlawful behavior is directly responsible for a grave humanitarian catastrophe of the kind that has befallen the civilian population of Gaza since July 8. Instead of supporting Israel spurious claim of acting in self-defense, Mr. Ban Ki-moon should have been using his office to insist on an immediate ceasefire accompanied by the unconditional lifting of the blockade imposed on Gaza since mid-2007 that has constituted the essence of the collective punishment of the 1.8 million people encaged in the Gaza Strip without even a sanctuary for children, women, the disabled, the elderly, non-militants to escape from the combat zone by crossing the border or finding safety within Gaza itself. The shelling of UN facilities being used to shelter those desperately seeking safety exemplifies Israeli criminal conduct during this savage military operation. Please read the text below, prepared by Badil (an NGO devoted to Palestinian refugee rights that enjoys a world reputation for the quality of its work and the dedication of its staff) and endorsed by a large number of Palestinian civil society actors; please disseminate this text as widely as possible, and call independently for a response by the Secretary General, as well as further action if a response is not forthcoming.]<\/em><\/p>\n

Open letter to Mr. Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon: stand for law and Justice or resign!<\/em><\/p>\n

5 August 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

For humanity and the little remained credibility of international law:<\/p>\n

Un Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, stand for law and Justice or resign!<\/p>\n

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon,<\/p>\n

We, the under signed Palestinian human rights and community-based organizations are extremely disappointed by your performance, notably by your biased statements, your failure to act, and the inappropriate justification of Israel\u2019s violations of IHL, which amount to war crimes. Until today, you have taken no explicit and tangible measures to address the recent Israeli attacks in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) since 13 June. Moreover, your statements have been either misleading, because they endorse and further Israeli false versions of facts, or contrary to the provisions established by international law and to the interests of its defenders, or because your words justify Israel\u2019s violations and crimes.<\/p>\n

You have undeniably assumed a biased position toward the current attack on Gaza and Israeli violations in the West Bank by failing to clearly condemn Israeli unlawful actions in the OPT, while, on the other hand, not hesitating to accuse \u2013 sometimes mistakenly \u2013 Palestinian combatant in Gaza of violations of international law. This bias can be noted in the following excerpts:<\/p>\n

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the killing today of at least 10 Palestinian civilians in shelling outside of an UNRWA school in Rafah providing shelter to thousands of civilians.\u00a0 The attack is yet another gross violation of international humanitarian law, which clearly requires protection by both parties of Palestinian civilians, UN staff and UN premises, among other civilian facilities.<\/p>\n

Such statement<\/a>, by failing to name the perpetrator (Israel), is not only biased, but also offensive to UNRWA, itself a UN agency, as well as to other UN agencies and international organizations the struggle to provide relief and protection to Palestinians in Gaza. UNRWA, which has lost nine staff in Gaza<\/a> since the beginning of Israel\u2019s Operation Protective Edge, hosts around 270,000 internally displaced (25% of Gaza\u2019s population)<\/a> in its shelters. UNRWA\u2019s preliminary analysis on a previous attack against one of its schools has indicated that it had been hit by Israeli artillery, constituting an indiscriminate attack and likely a war crime<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Moreover, by condemning<\/a> the storage of weapons in UNRWA schools without offering a complete details and a proper account on international law, your statements endorse Israeli excuses to unlawfully, indiscriminately<\/a> target such civilian objects.<\/p>\n

In addition, by condemning<\/a><\/p>\n

the reported violation by Hamas of the mutually agreed humanitarian ceasefire which commenced this morning. He is shocked and profoundly disappointed by these developments,<\/p>\n

the Secretary-General reveals a reckless endorsement of Israeli version of facts, blaming Hamas for violating the cease-fire, even though admitting that \u201c[t]he Secretary-General notes that the UN has no independent means to verify exactly what happened\u201d, and, still, demanding \u201cthe immediate and unconditional release of the [falsely allegedly] captured soldier\u201d.<\/p>\n

The following statement<\/a> further illustrates the Secretary-General\u2019s ignorance of facts on the ground:<\/p>\n

The Secretary-General has learned with concern that leaflets are reportedly being dropped by the Israeli Defence Forces in the northern Gaza Strip this evening, warning tens of thousands of residents to leave their homes and evacuate to Gaza City.<\/p>\n

If true [our emphasis], this would have a further devastating humanitarian impact on the beleaguered civilians of those areas of the Gaza strip, who have already undergone immense suffering in recent days.<\/p>\n

The drop of leaflets had been a known practice<\/a> since the beginning of the Israeli operation in Gaza, contributing to a scenario of more than 480,000 internally displaced<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the same statement<\/a>,<\/p>\n

The Secretary-General strongly urge[d] all sides to avoid any further escalation at this time[, noting] that all sides must meet all obligations under international humanitarian law, both towards civilians ahead of impending attacks, as well as maintaining proportionality in any kind of military response,<\/p>\n

Revealing an undue equalization of the two sides of the conflict and failing to address the greater impact of violations committed by Israel,\u00a0 which has killed at least 1,814 the vast majority of whom are civilians<\/a>, during its operation in Gaza.<\/p>\n

Secretary-General,<\/p>\n

When you make no distinction between oppressors and victims, in all your statements,<\/p>\n

When you name Palestinian combatants as perpetrators of violations and war crimes while you ignore naming Israel, as you used to do in referring to specific actions,<\/p>\n

When you avoid codifying Israeli actions amount to war crimes, while you insist on prescribing Palestinian reactions as grave breaches of IHL,<\/p>\n

When you always advocate unlawfully the Israel right to self-defense, while having not pointed out the Palestinians legitimate and legal right to resist occupation, colonization and institutionalized discrimination,<\/p>\n

When you adopt and advocate Israeli false stories, while not mentioning Palestinians\u2019 narrative,<\/p>\n

When you disregard facts on grounds clearly resulting from Israeli attacks, while you seek the immediate and unconditional release of a falsely captured soldier who was in the battle field,<\/p>\n

You do not maintain peace and security; nor do you ensure human rights.<\/p>\n

By reviewing yours statements, it becomes evident you have not been fulfilling your mandate. In contrary, your statements have not only allowed the continuance of Israel\u2019s killing our people, but also, encouraged States to continue providing Israel with impunity. As you cannot say the truth,we advise you to either drastically change your positioning \u2013 not only in words, but also in your efforts to, through the UN, effectively end the current conflict \u2013 or to resign. For us, if you continue playing this role, you prove what our people feel, that you are a partner in, or at least an enabler of, the ongoing violations of international humanitarian law committed by Israel against our, families, children, women, elders \u2013 against our people.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014-\u2028Signatures\u2028\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014-<\/p>\n

Individuals:\u2028\u00a0\u2022 Richard Falk Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967\u2028\u00a0\u2022 Luisa Morgantini Former Vice President of the European Parliament\u2028\u00a0\u2022 Ahmad Muhaisen \u2013 President of The association for twining French cities and Palestinian refugee camps\u2028\u00a0\u2022 Breyten Breytenbach Poet, writer, painter and activist\u2028\u00a0\u2022 John Pilger is a journalist, film-maker and author<\/p>\n

Palestinian and international human rights and civil society organizations:\u2028\u00a0\u2022 BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u00a0\u2022 Occupied Palestine and Syrian Golan Heights Advocacy Initiative (OPGAI) \u2013 Biet Sahour\u2028\u2022 The Alternative Information Centre (AIC) \u2013 Biet Sahour\u2028\u2022 ADDAMEER\u00a0Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association \u2013 Ramallah\u2028\u2022 Palestinian Non-Governmental Network (Umbrella for 133 organizations)\u2028\u2022 Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions\u2028\u2022 General Union of Palestine Workers\u2028\u2022 General Union for Health Services Workers\u2028\u2022 General Union for Public Services Workers\u2028\u2022 General Union for Petrochemical and Gas Workers\u2028\u2022 General Union for Agricultural Workers\u2028\u2022 Union of Women\u2019s Work Committees\u2028\u2022 Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions National Committee (BNC). The Committee includes the following organizations: Council of National and Islamic Forces in Palestine, Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO), Palestinian National Institute for NGOs, Global Palestine Right of Return Coalition, Palestinian Trade Union Coalition for BDS (PTUC-BDS), Federation of Independent Trade Unions, General Union of Palestinian Workers, Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions, General Union of Palestinian Women, Union of Palestinian Farmers, General Union of Palestinian Teachers, General Union of Palestinian Writers, Palestinian Federation of Unions of University Professors and Employees (PFUUPE), Union of Professional Associations, General Union of Palestinian Peasants, Union of Public Employees in Palestine-Civil Sector, Grassroots Palestinian Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign (STW), National Committee for Grassroots Resistance, Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), National Committee to Commemorate the Nakba, Civic Coalition for the Defense of Palestinian Rights in Jerusalem, Coalition for Jerusalem, Union of Palestinian Charitable Organizations, Palestinian Economic Monitor, Union of Youth Activity Centers-Palestine Refugee Camps, Occupied Palestine and Syrian Golan Heights Initiative.\u2028\u2022 The Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and the YWCA of Palestine (JAI) \u2013 Biet Sahour\u2028\u2022 Baladna- association for Arab Youth \u2013 Haifa\u2028\u2022 Hamleh \u2013 Arab center for media development\u00a0\u2013 Haifa\u2028\u2022 Al Zahra\u2019 Society for Women Empowerment \u2013 Sakhnin\u2028\u2022 Assiwar- The Feminist Arab Movement in Support of Victims of Sexual Assault \u2013 Haifa\u2028\u2022 Association for the defense for the Rights of the Internally Displaced in Israel \u2013 Nazareth\u2028\u2022 Alsebat association for heritage Preservation \u2013 Nazareth\u00a0\u2028\u2022 The Alternative Tourism Group (ATG) \u2013 Beit Sahour\u2028\u2022 Yabous Cultural Center \u2013 Jerusalem\u2028\u2022 The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music \u2013 Jerusalem\u2028\u2022 Palestinian Students\u2019 Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel\u2028\u2022 Gaza BDS Working Group\u2028\u2022 University Teachers\u2019 Association in Palestine\u2028\u2022 Medical Democratic Assembly\u2028\u2022 Pal-Cinema (Palestine Cinema Forum)\u2028\u2022 Youth Herak Movement\u2028\u2022 Union of Women\u2019s Struggle Committees\u2028\u2022 Union of Synergies\u2014Women Unit\u2028\u2022 Union of Palestinian Women Committees\u2028\u2022 Women\u2019s Studies Society\u2028\u2022 Working Woman\u2019s Society\u2028\u2022 One Democratic State Group\u2028\u2022 Youth Against Israeli Settlements \u2013 Hebron\u2028\u2022 Health Work Committees \u2013 Biet Sahour\u2028\u2022 Land Research Center (LCR) \u2013 Hebron\u2028\u2022 Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies \u2013 Ramallah\u2028\u2022 Popular Struggling Coordination Committee (PSCC) \u2013 Ramallah\u2028\u2022 Lajee Center, Aida Refugee Camp \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 The EJ-YMCA Rehabilitation Program and the Beit Sahour YMCA \u2013 Beit Sahour\u2028\u2022 Ibrahim Al Khalil Society \u2013 Hebron\u2028\u2022 The Palestinian Prisoners Society \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 The Palestinian Center of Youth Action for Community Development (LAYLAC) \u2013 Dhiesheh Refugee Camp \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 Palestinian Grassroots Anti-apartheid Wall Campaign (Stop the Wall) \u2013 Ramallah\u2028\u2022 Palestinian Center for Rapprochement Between People \u2013 Biet Sahour\u2028\u2022 Amaan Center for social health, Counseling and Development \u2013 Hebron\u2028\u2022 Popular Committee for Refugees, Qalqeliah\u2028\u2022 Popular Committee for Refugees, Salfit\u2028\u2022 Social Youth Center, Aqbat Jaber Refugee Camp \u2013 Jericho\u2028\u2022 Social Youth Center, Aida Refugee Camp \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 Social Youth Center, Al Arroub Refugee Camp \u2013 Hebron\u2028\u2022 Al Arroub Popular committee \u2013 Al Arroub Refugee Camp \u2013 Hebron\u2028\u2022 Progressive Youth Union \u2013 Al Arroub Refugee Center \u2013 Hebron\u2028\u2022 The Phoenix Center \u2013 Al Arroub Refugee Camp \u2013 Hebron\u2028\u2022 Al Fawwar Social Center \u2013 Al Fawwar Refugee camp \u2013 Hebron\u2028\u2022 Social Youth Center, Far\u2019a Refugee Camp \u2013 Nablus\u2028\u2022 Shu\u2019fat Child Center \u2013 Shu\u2019fat Refugees Camp \u2013 Jerusalem\u2028\u2022 Shoruq Association, Dhiesheh Refugee Camp \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 Al Awda Center for Youth and children Rehabilitation \u2013 Tulkarem\u2028\u2022 Ansar Center, Al Walajeh \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 Center for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights \u201cHurryyat\u201d\u2028\u2022 The Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 Bethlehem Farmers Society \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 Ibda\u2019a for the Development of Children Capacity, Dhiesheh Refugee Camp \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 The popular committee \u2013 Dhiesheh Refugee Camp \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 The women Centre \u2013 Dhiesheh Refugee Camp \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 The popular committee \u2013 Al Azza Refugee Camp \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 Al Phoenix Center \u2013 Dhiesheh Refugee Camp \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 Al Walaja Women Center \u2013 Al Walaja \u2013 \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 Not to Forget \u2013 Jenin Refugees Camp \u2013 Jenin\u2028\u2022 Environmental Education Center \u2013 Beit Jala\u2028\u2022 The National Charitable Society \u2013 Al Khader\u2028\u2022 The Right of Return Committees in Bethlehem \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 Al Walaja Popular Committee \u2013 \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 Al Walaja Sports Club \u2013 Al Walaja \u2013 \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 Al Walaja Agriculture society \u2013 Al Walaja \u2013 \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 The Palestinian anti-Wall and Settlements committees \u2013 Ramallah\u2028\u2022 MA\u2019AN Development Center \u2013 Ramallah\u2028\u2022 The Association of Palestinian prisoners and x-prisoners \u2013 Bethlehem\u2028\u2022 Susya Popular Committee \u2013 Hebron\u2028\u2022 Dair Abu Misha\u2019al Popular committee \u2013 Ramallah\u2028\u2022 Al Tawasul Forum Society \u2013 Gaza Strip\u2028\u2022 The International Solidarity Movement.\u2028\u2022 The Refugees Rights Center \u2013\u2018Aidoon \u2013 Lebanon\u2028\u2022 Association Najdeh \u2013 Lebanon\u2028\u2022 Ajyal Association \u2013 Lebanon\u2028\u2022 The Refugees Rights Center \u2013\u2018Aidoon \u2013 Syria\u2028\u2022 Union of Arab Jurists \u2013 Jordan\u2028\u2022 The National Institution of Social Care & Vocational Training \u2013 Jordan\u2028\u2022 Australians for Palestine \u2013 Australia\u2028\u2022 Women for Palestine \u2013 Australia\u2028\u2022 Collective urgence Palestine \u2013 Switzerland\u2028\u2022 Palestina Rossa \u2013 Italy\u2028\u2022 Fronte Palestina \u2013 Italy\u2028\u2022 The Association of Humanitarian Lawyers\u2028\u2022 International Educational Development, Inc\u2028\u2022 International Lawyers \u2013 Switzerland\u2028\u2022 Tamkeen-Arab group \u2013 Switzerland\u2028\u2022 The BDS campaign in France \u2013 France\u2028\u2022 The association for twining French cities and Palestinian refugees camp \u2013 France\u2028\u2022 The International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (EAFORD)\u2028\u2022 International society for Human Rights\u2028\u2022 Czech Friends of Palestine\u2028\u2022 Initiative for a just peace in the Middle East \u2013 Czech Republic\u2028\u2022 Nord-Sud XXI\u2028\u2022 International Association Against\u00a0Torture\u2028\u2022 The Palestine Solidarity Allegiance South Africa\u2028\u2022 Palestine Legal Action Network\u2028\u2022 Russell Tribunal on Palestine\u2028\u2022 Campaign BDS France,\u2028\u2022 14 Friends of Palestine (Marin, CA)\u2028\u2022 Canada Palestine Association\u2028\u2022 Voice of Palestine\u2028\u2022 People for Peace, London, CA\u2028\u2022 United States Palestinian Community Network\u2028\u2022 Labor for Palestine NY\u2028\u2022 Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network\u2028\u2022 US Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel\u2028\u2022 Palestine Human Rights Campaign Auckland\u2028\u2022 Al-Awda NY\u2028\u2022 Jews for Palestinian Right of Return\u2028\u2022 Jews Against genocide\u2028\u2022 Palestine Solidarity Alliance, South Africa\u2028\u2022 Assopace\u2028\u2022 Boycott! Boycott From Within\u2028\u2022 Boycott Israeli Apartheid Campaign \u2013 Vancouver\u2028\u2022 BDS Switzerland<\/p>\n

Palestinian Refugees and IDPs: Background<\/p>\n

Historical Overview<\/a><\/p>\n

Refugee & IDP Rights<\/a><\/p>\n

Israel and the Nakba<\/a><\/p>\n

Documents & Publications<\/a><\/p>\n

Photos<\/a><\/p>\n

Ongoing Nakba Education Center<\/p>\n

Resources for Visitors, Journalists & Activists<\/a><\/p>\n

Resources for Refugee Lawyers<\/a><\/p>\n

Publications on PayPal<\/a><\/p>\n

Badil Library<\/a><\/p>\n

Press Releases<\/a><\/p>\n

Mobilization and Intervention<\/p>\n

Civil Society \u2013 Refugee Actions & Campaigns<\/a><\/p>\n

Legal Advocacy<\/a><\/p>\n

Youth Education & Activation<\/a><\/p>\n

Annual Al-Awda Award<\/a><\/p>\n

Comparative Study Visits<\/a><\/p>\n

______________________________<\/p>\n

Richard Falk is a member of the TRANSCEND Network, an international relations scholar, professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University, author, co-author or editor of 40 books, and a speaker and activist on world affairs.\u00a0In 2008, the United Nations Human Rights Council<\/a> (UNHRC) appointed Falk to a six-year term as a United Nations Special Rapporteur<\/a> on “the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories<\/a> occupied since 1967.”Since 2002 he has lived in Santa Barbara, California, and taught at the local campus of the University of California in Global and International Studies, and since 2005 chaired the Board of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. His most recent book is <\/em>Achieving Human Rights (2009).<\/em><\/p>\n

Go to Original \u2013 richardfalk.wordpress.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Open letter to Mr. Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon: stand for law and Justice or resign!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45830","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-united-nations"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45830","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45830"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45830\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45830"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45830"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}