Rights Without Borders: Giovani Senza Frontiere's Position on Occupied Palestine

Over the past decades, the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories has continued to intensify, with devastating repercussions, particularly for the Palestinian population in the occupied territories. The escalation of violence and the systematic erosion of Palestinians’ fundamental rights by Israeli authorities have raised significant international concerns. In particular, actions undertaken in the occupied areas have been characterized by forced expulsions, property destruction, severe restrictions on freedom of movement, unequal access to essential resources, and attacks that have frequently affected the civilian population.

Such practices, due to their intensity and systematic nature, are consistently labeled by many international organizations as actions falling under the definition of cultural genocide, according to international conventions, including the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. This situation has generated an urgent need for international attention and action, not only to put an end to these serious violations but also to support the fundamental human rights and dignity of the Palestinian population.

The history of this conflict originates in 1948 with the Nakba, an Arabic term meaning “catastrophe.” In that year, the illegitimate founding of the state of Israel coincided with the forced exodus of approximately 700,000 Palestinians and the destruction of over 500 villages—an event that has left deep scars in the collective Palestinian memory and marked the beginning of a long path of suffering and forced displacements.

In 1967, the Six-Day War further escalated tensions, culminating in the Israeli occupation of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. This event marked the beginning of military and civil administration by Israel that persists to this day, despite numerous international condemnations.
The period from 1987 to 1993 witnessed the First Intifada, a Palestinian uprising against the Israeli occupation, distinguished by its intensity and the harshness of military responses, causing significant casualties on the Palestinian side and drawing global attention to the grave humanitarian situation in the occupied territories.

In 1993, the Oslo Accords were seen as a hope for peace, but despite some initial promises, they ultimately complicated the political landscape further without resolving fundamental tensions, leaving many objectives unfulfilled. The Second Intifada, from 2000 to 2005, was even more devastating than the first. This wave of violence worsened the living conditions of Palestinians and intensified Israeli restrictive policies.

More recently, in 2018 and 2019, the Great March of Return saw thousands of Palestinians in Gaza protesting along the border, demanding the right of return and the end of the blockade. The Israeli military response to these demonstrations was extremely violent, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries among the protesters. In 2021, tensions flared again in Jerusalem, particularly in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, where forced expropriations and illegal settlements sparked further clashes and international condemnations.

This document aims to express a formal and unequivocal condemnation of the actions carried out by Israel in the occupied territories—actions that represent serious violations of human rights and contravene numerous principles of international law.

This position paper specifically aims to denounce:

1. Forced Expropriations: On multiple occasions, Israel has conducted forced expropriations of Palestinian lands and properties in the occupied territories. These actions have been implemented through military orders and specific legislations that have retroactively legalized the seizure of Palestinian lands, often transforming them into settlements or military infrastructures. Palestinian neighborhoods and communities, particularly in East Jerusalem and other parts of the West Bank, have been subjected to a systematic process of expropriation that has forcibly displaced thousands of Palestinians, uprooting them from their homes and native lands. These policies not only violate numerous fundamental rights of Palestinians, including the right to housing, but also contravene key principles of international law, such as those established in the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the forced transfer of civilian populations and the demographic alteration of occupied territories.

Through this document, we firmly denounce this illegal and inhumane practice, calling for the immediate cessation of such policies and the restitution of lands to their rightful Palestinian owners.

2. The expansion of settlements: Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied territories represents one of the most serious and persistent violations of the rights of the Palestinian people. Despite repeated international condemnations, including several UN pronouncements declaring settlement expansion illegal, Israel has continued to build and expand Jewish colonies in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This policy not only violates International Law, in particular Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention which prohibits the settlement of occupier populations in occupied territories, but also undermines any attempt at lasting peace in the region.
Settlements undermine the territorial continuity necessary for the viability of a sovereign and viable Palestinian state by fragmenting the West Bank into isolated enclaves and severely restricting Palestinians’ access to their natural resources, such as water and arable land. Moreover, the presence of settlements is often accompanied by increased tensions and violence, as the very existence of these settlements causes frequent clashes between settlers and local Palestinian communities.

This document firmly condemns the expansion of Israeli settlements, emphasizing the urgent need to halt all new constructions and dismantle existing ones that violate international law. Such actions are essential not only to uphold legal norms but also to move toward a just and peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

3. Demolition of Homes: One of the most destructive aspects of Israeli policies in the occupied territories is the systematic demolition of Palestinian homes. These demolitions are often justified by Israeli authorities on administrative grounds, such as the lack of building permits—which are notoriously difficult for Palestinians to obtain due to a highly discriminatory bureaucratic system. In other cases, demolitions are carried out as retaliatory measures following attacks against Israelis, constituting a form of collective punishment that affects innocent families and communities.
The consequences are devastating: entire families are rendered homeless overnight, losing all their possessions and facing enormous obstacles to rebuilding. This practice not only violates the fundamental right to housing but also deeply affects the social cohesion and stability of Palestinian communities. Moreover, it contributes to a cycle of despair and resistance that fuels further tensions in the region.

International humanitarian law explicitly prohibits the arbitrary destruction of civilian property during conflicts and occupations. Yet demolitions remain a frequent and deliberate practice, highlighting systematic and intentional violations of human rights by Israel.

This document unequivocally condemns the demolition of Palestinian homes as an illegal and immoral practice. We demand the immediate cessation of all demolitions and the adoption of measures to ensure that Palestinians in the occupied territories can live in safety and dignity, free from the constant threat of having their homes destroyed. The international community is also urged to take concrete and effective action to put an end to these practices and support the reconstruction of demolished homes.

4. Restrictions on Freedom of Movement: One of the most oppressive measures enforced by Israel in the occupied territories is the severe restriction of Palestinian freedom of movement. These restrictions are implemented through a rigid system of military checkpoints, roads reserved exclusively for Israelis, and a vast separation wall that cuts through the West Bank. This system not only physically divides communities and fragments Palestinian territory, but it also blocks access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. The separation wall, declared illegal by the International Court of Justice in 2004, remains a source of profound hardship for the Palestinian population, restricting their access to farmland and separating them from their workplaces and educational institutions. These imposed restrictions also severely hamper Palestinians’ ability to maintain social and family ties, contributing to the isolation and marginalization of entire communities.

Such practices violate numerous international norms, including fundamental human rights such as the right to freedom of movement and the right to choose one’s place of residence. They also complicate any attempt to reach a peaceful solution, perpetuating an atmosphere of tension and instability.

This document strongly condemns the restrictions on Palestinian freedom of movement as a form of oppressive control and a clear violation of basic human rights. These practices must cease immediately, allowing Palestinians to live without arbitrary and discriminatory constraints, and paving the way for peace and coexistence in the region. The international community is urged to apply pressure on Israel to dismantle these barriers and restore full freedom of movement throughout the occupied territories.

5. Violence and Excessive Use of Force: Israeli security forces have repeatedly employed disproportionate and often lethal levels of force against Palestinians in the occupied territories. This excessive use of force manifests in various contexts, including military raids in residential areas, crowd control during protests, and security operations. These actions have frequently resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children who were not involved in any violent activity at the time. The indiscriminate use of live ammunition, tear gas, and other lethal means against unarmed demonstrators and civilians has been documented and condemned by numerous international human rights organizations. These incidents represent not only grave violations of human rights but also breaches of international legal standards on the use of force, which state that lethal force may only be used as a last resort and in proportion to an actual threat.

Additionally, the frequent impunity enjoyed by Israeli security personnel for acts of violence and abuse further exacerbates the situation, eroding trust in the judicial system and fueling a cycle of violence and retaliation.

This document firmly condemns the excessive use of force by Israeli security forces as a systematic practice and an intolerable violation of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people. We call for an immediate and thorough review of the rules of engagement of Israeli forces to ensure they align with international standards. It is also essential to guarantee accountability for acts of violence and to provide justice and adequate compensation to the victims and their families. We urge the international community to actively monitor these practices and to intervene when necessary to protect the rights and safety of Palestinian civilians.

6. The Siege of Gaza:Since 2007, the Gaza Strip has been under a blockade imposed by Israel, which has had devastating effects on the lives of approximately two million inhabitants. This siege has severely restricted the importation of essential goods—including food, medicine, and construction materials—crippling the region’s health, education, and economic infrastructures. The restriction on the movement of Gaza’s residents, preventing them from leaving the Strip for medical, educational, or economic reasons, constitutes a grave violation of the right to freedom of movement and the human right to a dignified life.
The blockade has also devastated Gaza’s economy, leading to alarmingly high unemployment and widespread poverty. Restrictions on fishing and agriculture have further limited economic opportunities, worsening food insecurity. Many families now depend entirely on international aid for survival.

These conditions have created an unsustainable environment, where malnutrition, inadequate medical services, and limited access to clean water threaten daily life. Ongoing power outages further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, impeding access to basic services such as lighting and refrigeration.

Many humanitarian organizations have described the situation in Gaza as collective punishment against the civilian population—a practice explicitly prohibited under international humanitarian law. Through this document, we strongly denounce the Gaza blockade as a severe and prolonged violation of human rights. We call for the immediate lifting of the blockade and the opening of borders to allow the free flow of people and goods, which is essential for the social and economic recovery of Gaza. We also urge the international community to intensify its efforts to ensure that these measures are revoked and that the dignity and rights of Gaza’s citizens are fully respected and protected.

7. The Thousands of Palestinian Deaths: Military operations and police actions carried out by Israel in the occupied territories have resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, including women, men, the elderly, and children. These tragic events have occurred during demonstrations, military raids, and airstrikes. At the same time, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been injured—often in circumstances involving excessive force and the use of live ammunition by Israeli security forces. These incidents have occurred not only during direct confrontations but also in situations where civilians posed no imminent threat, exposing a blatant disregard for Palestinian life and safety.
The high number of casualties and injuries reveals a pattern of violence and aggression that has been extensively documented and condemned by international human rights organizations, raising concerns about possible violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.

This document unequivocally condemns the killing and wounding of thousands of Palestinians as a direct result of Israel’s excessive and indiscriminate use of force. We call for an independent international investigation into these deaths and injuries to ensure accountability. It is imperative that the international community act decisively to prevent further loss of innocent lives and to uphold the human rights and dignity of all Palestinians.

In light of the current situation in the Middle East, Giovani Senza Frontiere has chosen to adopt a clear and unequivocal stance, guided by the principles of human rights and international law. While informed by the vision and courage expressed in the ten key points outlined by Craig Mokhiber in his resignation letter from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in New York, this position reflects a deep commitment to justice and peace.

Our organization recognizes the need to abandon the failed Oslo paradigm and to acknowledge the reality of a system in which disproportionate power is driving colonization and apartheid policies based on ethnicity. We support the idea of a single democratic and secular state in historic Palestine that guarantees equal rights for all its citizens—regardless of religion or ethnicity—and puts an end to apartheid practices.

We also insist on the necessity of genuine transitional justice, which must include recognition of the right of return and compensation for Palestinians across the diaspora, as well as the need for a UN protection force to ensure civilian safety. Disarmament of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons is equally essential to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

We acknowledge that the United States and other Western powers cannot be considered impartial mediators, given their history of complicity in violations of Palestinian rights. Their role in the peace process must therefore be re-evaluated.

Finally, Giovani Senza Frontiere welcomes and supports all voices that rise in defense of rights and against injustice in this troubled region. Our door is always open to those who fight for justice, self-determination, and universal human rights. At the same time, we reject all forms of normalization with any entity that, in systematic violation of international law and human rights conventions, contributes to the maintenance of a permanent state of war, occupation, and discrimination. Genuine peace cannot be built on impunity—it can only emerge through recognition of responsibility, an end to oppression, and respect for the law.

This position paper was written by the board of Giovani Senza Frontiere with the essential contribution of Giosef Torino and its President, Annamaria Simeone.