International Service

Palestine

IS in Palestine
IS Partners in Palestine

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IS Jobs in Palestine
IS Anniversary Appeal for Palestine
 

Country information

Short introduction and occupation/political

Palestine, known to some as comprising Israel and the Occupied Palestinian territories (Opts - the West Bank and the Gaza Strip), and known to others simply as the Occupied Palestinian territories, is home to arguably the highest-profile and one of the longest national struggles of modern times. The geographical area that is now Israel and the OPts has been ruled for the past several centuries by various occupying forces – Ottoman Turks from 1516 to 1917, Britain (under a post-World War I mandate by the League of Nations) from 1918 to 1948, and Israel from 1948 until present-day. Between 1948 and 1967 the West Bank was under Jordanian sovereignty while the Gaza Strip was under Egyptian rule.

The history of the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians is highly disputed. East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip were occupied by Israel in 1967. With the signing of the Oslo and Cairo Accords of 1993 and 1994, Gaza came under the direct control of the Palestinian Authority (PA). The West Bank was demarcated into three areas and subject to a timetable of handovers and dual authority. The West Bank and the Gaza Strip, known as the Palestinian territories since the end of the 1967 War (between Israel and the three armies of Egypt, Jordan and Syria), were reoccupied by Israeli military forces during the Al Aqsa’ intifada, or Palestinian uprising (the second Intifada), which began in September 2000.

The Hamas election victory in January 2006 has led to a stalemate in the political dialogue between the Palestinian Authority government, donors and the Government of Israel. The internal political rift between the two dominant Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah, fuelled tensions and resulted in intermittent violence, especially in the Gaza Strip. Many donors have imposed anti-terrorist financing blocks on transactions with the PA and ceased all financial support channelled through the PA. The Government of Israel decided to withhold the customs tax and VAT it collects on behalf of the PA. Severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian people and goods remain firmly in place, within the West Bank especially. These restrictions, which the Israeli government argues are necessary for security reasons, have been in place since the onset of the second Intifada. The Gaza Strip has no regular checkpoints or barriers within it following the Israeli disengagement in August 2005; however, Israel controls all movements in and out of the Strip.

Geography/population

The West Bank is an area of 5,655 km2 with a projected 2007 population of approximately 2.5 million. It is an inland, hilly region, bordering Jordan. The main towns are Nablus, Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Agriculture is the main feature of the economy although production has been seriously restricted under occupation.
The Gaza Strip covers an area of only 365 km2 with a projected 2007 population of over 1.5 million, 70% of whom are registered refugees living in camps first established in 1948, with third and fourth generations living under what are continuing to be classed as temporary conditions. Gaza is thus one of the most densely populated areas in the world and at the rate the population is growing it will double in 12 years.

Human Development Report, UNDP 2006

Economy

Economic activity in the West Bank and Gaza has been disrupted by border closures, curfews and restrictions of movement in general. The Palestinian economy is declining from an already low level. According to preliminary Palestine Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) data, real GDP per capita could decline by 8–10 percent, bringing the cumulative decline in average incomes to over 30 percent since 1999. About a quarter of the Palestinian labour force is unemployed. The situation is particularly tenuous in Gaza, where the unemployment rate increased to 36 percent in 2006, from 29 percent in 2005. As the inhabitants are unable to move freely they are heavily reliant on the limited natural resources available within Gaza. In the short term, continued high levels of donor assistance are critical for sustaining the Palestinian economy. Movement restrictions have reduced the number of Palestinians working in Israel. An average of 35,000 Palestinians worked in Israel and Israeli settlements during the first six months of 2006, compared to 40,000 in 2005—a decline of 12 percent. Virtually no Palestinians from Gaza work in Israel anymore. (World Bank Report – West Bank and Gaza, Public Expenditure Review, Volume Two, February 2007).

IS Work in Palestine

History/mission statement/current focus

International Service has been involved in one way or another in partnerships with organisations in Gaza and the West Bank for many years. During both the first and second Intifadas IS has maintained project partnerships with a broad range of Palestinian NGOs. IS and its partners have grown and adapted their programmes in accordance with the changing needs of Palestinian society.
IS Development Workers are recruited from many different nationalities, bringing a wide range of skills and expertise from diverse backgrounds. In response to the economic and social crisis resulting from years of conflict in the West Bank and Gaza, IS country strategy focuses on continuing to build strong partnerships with local NGOs and educational institutions. IS supports capacity building, organisational and institutional development of NGOs who focus on human rights and sustainable livelihoods and are targeting issues related to women, children and youth as well as persons with a disability. Current partners are listed below. Potential new partners are being pursued, both in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip; however, postings in Gaza will not be activated until the situation allows for it.

IS Field office in Palestine

Postal Address: PO Box 18581
Jerusalem
Tel: + 00972 (2) 582 3941
Fax: + 00972 (2) 582 4759
Email: info@unais.ps

Field Director: Janny Bosscher
Email: janny.bosscher@unais.ps

Programme Coordinator: Khaled Husseini
Email: K.husseini@unais.ps

Programme Officer: Klara Docters
Email: klara.docters@unais.ps

Administrator: Nisreen Bali
Email: administrator@unais.ps

Other Palestine Links

Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, PCBS: www.pcbs.gov.ps
The World Bank: www.worldbank.org/wbi countries/westbank and gaza
UN OCHA: www.ochaopt.org
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): www.undp.ps

IS Partners in Palestine

Al-Haq
Field of Work: Human Rights – Advocacy and Documentation covering the West Bank and Gaza. Al Haq focuses on monitoring, documenting and advocating against the violations of the individual and collective rights of Palestinians under international law.
Development Worker Posting: Legal Research - Advocacy
www.alhaq.org

DCI/PS – Defense for Children International, Palestine
Field of Work: Focuses exclusively on investigating and documenting violations of children’s rights, both individual and collective, covering the West Bank and Gaza.
Development Worker Posting: Research and Advocacy
www.dci-pal.org

PARC – Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees
Field of Work: Promoting sustainable development in rural areas in Palestine through agriculture related development projects and advocacy.
Development Worker Posting: Lobbying and Advocacy
www.pal-arc.org

GUDP – General Union of Disabled Palestinians
Field of Work: Advocacy and lobbying for the Rights of all the Disabled, working closely with the government on the legislative process and on the implementation of laws.
Development Worker Posting:Capacity Building

ACAD – Arab Centre for Agricultural Development
Field of Work: ACAD specialises in Micro-Credit in an effort to encourage and support small and micro enterprises in the agricultural as well as non-agricultural sectors.
Development Worker Posting: Micro Credit Financing

BirZeit University
Field of Work: Higher Education – Home to over 7000 students
The Right to Education Campaign seeks to raise international awareness about the obstruction and denial of education inPalestine.
Development Worker Posting: Right to Education Campaign
www.birzeit.edu

An-Najah University, Nablus
Field of Work: Higher Education – Home to over 10,000 students
The Right to Education Campaign seeks to raise international awareness about the obstruction and denial of education in Palestine. The Campaign is conducted in collaboration and partnership with BirZeit University.
Development Worker Posting: Right to Education Campaign
www.najah.edu

PWRDC – Palestinian Women’s Research and Documentation Centre
Field of Work: Research & Documentation; Promotion of Women’s Rights, both social and political.
Development Worker Posting: “Violence against Women” Campaign

Burj Al LaqLaq Community Centre
Field of Work: Burj Al Laq Laq aims to provide the Old City residents - as well as the wider Jerusalem community – with a designated space for sports, recreation and opportunities for self-improvement.
Development Worker Posting: Children and Youth Activities

Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre for Disabled Children
Field of Work: JCDC Provision of services to children with various disabilities and their families who live in East Jerusalem and the central and northern West Bank.
Development Worker Posting: Special Education Teaching (Vacant)
 

If you have any questions on IS programme in Palestine,
contact Palestine Programme Manager, Catherine Jessop, email: Catherine@internationalservice.org.uk