Ref: 37/2017

On Saturday 16 September 2017, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) received a delegation from MISEREOR.  The delegation comprised of Bernhard Schafer, Officer of Joint Initiative on International Humanitarian Law in the Middle East; Ralph Allgaire, Press Officer, and Dr. Volker Riehl, Berlin Desk officer- Berline Office, met with Raji Sourani, PCHR’s Director.

The meeting discussed latest developments on the human rights situation.  Sourani emphasized that Israeli forces practice systematic violations of intentional humanitarian and human rights laws in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), including intensifying settlement activities throughout the West Bank and ethnic cleansing in East Jerusalem, continuing to impose the illegal and inhuman closure against the Gaza Strip for the 11^th consecutive year. Moreover, the meeting discussed the Palestinian internal situation and political internal division’s reflections on all life aspects and on the Palestinian political system.

It should be noted that MISEREOR is one of PCHR’s strategic partners. Sourani praised this partnership that is beyond the financial funding as MISEREOR holds international advocacy activities throughout Germany and Europe.

During the visit, PCHR organized the delegation a field visit to closely see the Israeli forces’ violations and their impact on civilians’ lives. The delegation members met with Palestinian fishermen, who explained the Israeli naval forces’ violations against them. Fishermen added that those violations include preventing Palestinian fishermen from sailing within the limited area allowed for fishing, exposing them to shooting, arrest, and property confiscation. Furthermore, the delegation visited areas that were targeted during the latest offensive on Gaza and met with owners of destroyed houses and property.