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

Latest Diritti senza confini: la posizione di Giovani Senza Frontiere sulla Palestina occupata Youth Lens: a Casapesenna per riscrivere la narrazione dei territori Al fianco della società civile serba: fermiamo la repressione Intervista a Giosef Italy per Rai Parlamento ESC FACTOR storie d’Europa: Maria Gil, Donna, Cigana, Attivista. ESC FACTOR storie d’Europa: Manolis Glezos, il primo partigiano europeo. ESC FACTOR storie d’Europa: Fátima Hamed Hossain, la prima donna musulmana del parlamento spagnolo ESC FACTOR storie d’Europa: LAGARDE LIST ESC FACTOR storie d’Europa: La Rivoluzione dei GAROFANI in Portogallo ESC FACTOR storie d’Europa: Kōstas Geōrgakīs e la rivolta del Polytechnio Rights Without Borders: Giovani Senza Frontiere’s Position on Occupied Palestine Why a Position Paper? Giovani Senza Frontiere, a social promotion entity active in the third sector, is deeply committed to youth engagement through European and Mediterranean initiatives.Our firm condemnation of the actions carried out in the occupied territories of Palestine is not merely an ethical imperative but is intrinsically linked to our mission of safeguarding human rights and social justice. The conditions in the Palestinian territories, marked by systemic violations of fundamental rights and a prolonged occupation that has caused widespread suffering, require critical attention and resolute commitment from all entities operating in the field of international cooperation. Giovani Senza Frontiere maintains that silence and inaction may be perceived as complicity or acceptance of the injustices suffered by the Palestinian people. In this regard, we recall that the International Criminal Court (ICC), in its jurisdiction over crimes committed in the Occupied Palestinian Territories—as reaffirmed in the decision of February 5, 2021—has recognized the competence to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity, in accordance with the Rome Statute. This reinforces the obligation for actors in international cooperation to act in line with the principles of international legality, responsibility, and non-complicity. (ICC, Pre-Trial Chamber I, Decision on the Prosecution’s request pursuant to article 19(3) of the Statute, February 5, 2021) Through this position paper, Giovani Senza Frontiere explicitly declares its opposition to the policies and practices responsible for forced expropriations, settlement expansion, and home demolitions; severe restrictions on freedom of movement; excessive use of force; and the economic siege of Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank, along with the tragic loss of human lives. We firmly believe that such actions undermine the prospects for peace and security in the region and constitute serious violations of the international principles we are committed to defending. Taking this position is essential to remain consistent with our principles of equity, social justice, and human solidarity. Moreover, it represents an active contribution to supporting vulnerable communities and building a future in which everyone’s rights are respected. With this document, Giovani Senza Frontiere not only takes a stand against injustices but also commits to fostering dialogue, understanding, and cooperation among peoples—fundamental elements for building bridges and promoting the fair application of human rights without double standards. Introduction 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