Dec 29, 2020
EU in Gaza: Better late than never?

Following years of eschewing the Gaza strip, a delegation of EU heads of mission and European diplomats in Palestine visited Gaza in early December, 2020.


This pivotal visit came at a critical time for the Strip, which has been under siege for the past fourteen years, and is now suffering from severe deterioration in its various sectors. The health sector, in particular, has taken the brunt of this deterioration as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage through Gaza, increasing the toll of infected cases amidst socio-economic repercussions that are described as the hardest in the Strip’s history.


The delegation visited numerous facilities, such as the European Gaza Hospital, accompanied by representatives from the Palestinian Health Ministry and the WHO. The delegation was briefed on the unprecedented challenges that the health sector faces due to the spread of the Coronavirus, and the scarcity of PCR test kits.


The delegation also visited the EU-funded seawater desalination plant, in the city of Deir Al-Balah in the Central Governorate. Upon its completion, an estimated 250 thousand people will benefit from the plant.


The final leg of the tour included a meeting with Gaza's civil society and private sector representatives, who explained to the diplomats the calamitous socio-economic consequences of the pandemic, exacerbated by the Israeli siege and internal divisiveness.


During a symbolic ceremony, human rights defender Issam Younes was awarded the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law.


During the meeting with the EU delegation, representatives from Palestinian civil society and the private sector highlighted the dire repercussions that threaten the Palestinian people, especially in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis created by the Israeli siege and the spread of COVID-19. The gatherers stressed on the need for European action to provide financial and political support. Moreover, they confirmed that the Palestinian cause is not a humanitarian one, but a political and rights issue first and foremost. This demanded that EU states intervene in a viable and serious manner in order to pressure Israel to end its occupation. Furthermore, it is of critical importance that the EU furnishes an enabling environment for civil society organizations. It must also bolster their resilience in the face of Israeli attacks and violations, and confront the Israeli incitement campaign that targets CSOs, particularly human rights organizations.



The EU and Development


The EU is the most significant donor for the Palestinian people, as it grants financial and humanitarian aid that cater for their basic needs. The EU also provides annual support to UNRWA and also offers support channels through the European Commission's Office of Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).


The EU also endeavors to develop a long lasting relation with the Palestinian civil society, and offers support to its initiatives. Hence, in July 2014, a roadmap was adopted that ensures more effective EU involvement with civil society. It was then updated and republished in January 2019 (2018-2020 roadmap).


Despite efforts exerted to encourage the dialogue between the EU and Palestinian civil society, the European Union's access to, and contact with, civil society actors is still limited. There is a need to bolster dialogue channels and coordination mechanisms with the EU and all its different bodies. There is a need to increase awareness on the European strategy for the support of Palestine, and the EU’s roadmap in partnership with the Palestinian civil society.


Moreover, there is a growing urgency to improve the skills of CSOs in organizing advocacy campaigns to encourage the EU to play a more leading role in the Palestinian cause. The EU, with its status and capacity, can weigh in on the principles of international law, as well as international humanitarian law, and the human rights system. It can support the resilience of the Palestinian people on all levels, as it continues to adopt the vision of the Palestinian state as a goal for the partnership between the Union and the Palestinian people. Furthermore, aid and funding should not be linked to the established national rights of Palestinians, but focus instead on symbiotic funding.


 

The EU should increase its funding in a way that reaches the biggest number of Palestinian CSOs. Funds should be allocated for enhancing the unity between the CSOs of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, in a manner that defies Israeli incitement campaigns against Palestinian CSOs.



Priorities of EU intervention in support of Palestinian civil society


The EU is well aware of the vital effect the Palestinian civil society has on building an all-inclusive community, for the sake of accomplishing the SDGs of 2030. The priorities were set for the intervention of EU member states, in addition to Norway and Switzerland, to support the Palestinian civil society, in accordance with the 2018-2020 roadmap, to face challenges such as:


(The dwindling space allocated for the civil society and its weak impact on drafting policies; the occupation and political environment; lack of civil society participation in general and target groups in particular in the process of adequate policy making; and the tight space allowed for Palestinian civil work).


Thus, programs and interventions focused on encouraging the enabling environment and expanding the space awarded for CSOs. Furthermore, proper representation of the voice and rights of citizens in the national political agenda and in development plans was also advocated for along with promoting a common approach and policy against public defamation, especially the one targeting human rights advocates. The focus was also on amplifying the role of Palestinian CSOs in the national dialogue and national consultations on public policy and decision-making. The light was also shed on the importance of promoting an organized political dialogue between civil society organizations and the Palestinian Authority, strengthening civilian oversight, consolidating the role of CSOs as citizen representatives, not just as implementers of projects, and building the capacities of these organizations.


Upon the conclusion of the visit, a press conference was held, during which EU Representative Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff noted, "Gaza remains a priority for the EU and its Member States. Here in Gaza we are not just facing a humanitarian crisis, here we are facing political challenges that have been left unaddressed far too long. Almost two million people are living under Gaza's closure for the last 13 years and paying the heavy price of Palestine's internal division. Generations of young men and women are losing hope, waiting for solutions that still need to be found. With Covid-19, the harsh reality for the people of Gaza is quickly deteriorating and all duty bearers should act now and respect their obligations under international law. There is no time to waste. My call here today to all Palestinians is a call for unity, reconciliation, and democratic legitimacy1."


 

Amjad Al Shawwa


Reference:

1- https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/palestine-occupied-palestinian-territory-west-bank-and-gaza-strip/90106/node/90106_ar



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