ICTJ Activity
From 2002-2005 the ICTJ engaged in several ad
hoc interactions in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In 2006 the
Center's work began in earnest and a formal consultation project was launched. In response to representatives of both sides
of the conflict increasingly turning to the ICTJ for advice and assistance, the
project aimed to assess local needs and expertise, build capacities, and
closely monitor transitional justice developments and opportunities.
From 2006, the Center has organized a
series of technical expert visits to the region, with the goal of facilitating
discussions around transitional justice mechanisms with civil society
organizations, academic institutions, research institutes, and
intergovernmental organizations.
To complement this process, the ICTJ has
disseminated specialist material in both Hebrew and Arabic, worked with human
rights academics on introducing transitional justice into their curricula,
gathered locally-produced resources on transitional justice issues, and
provided focused technical assistance to civil society organizations engaged in
transitional justice-related activities.
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Background
In Israel and the Occupied Palestinian
Territory the last six decades have been characterized by serious violations of
international human rights and humanitarian law, including: extrajudicial killings;
torture; intentional attacks against civilians; prolonged administrative
detention; forced displacement; extensive property confiscation and destruction;
settlement in occupied territory; crippling movement restrictions, and
collective punishments. Conflict and
occupation have brought untold suffering on the Palestinian and Israeli populations:
Amnesty International estimates that from the outbreak of the current intifada through 2007, some 4,500
Palestinians have been killed by Israelis, more than 1,050 Israelis have been
killed by Palestinians, and some 600 Palestinians have been killed in
inter-factional violence. The majority
of those who have been killed are civilians.
Despite this grave litany of abuses,
proposed peace agreements and other efforts to resolve the conflict have
overwhelmingly focused on security, rather than also including than mechanisms
which might prevent such violations and thereby contribute to long-term
stability.
In November 2007 the parties returned to
the negotiating table, and a number of international actors have expressed a
firm commitment to ensuring that a signed peace agreement is finally reached
between the two parties. As violations
on the ground continue, however, the situation remains grave.
Nevertheless, these renewed discussions
have been accompanied by questions from Palestinians and Israelis as to how
their societies will deal with the legacy of human rights abuse. Although transitional justice does not yet
constitute a part of official discourse or negotiation, civil society is
beginning to explore its components and the possibilities that such policy
options and strategies could offer.
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(Updated May 2008)
