Human Rights

15 Feb 2023; MEMO: The European Union and the Arab League have agreed to create a joint working group to revive peace efforts in the Middle East "based on the Arab Peace Initiative, United Nations resolutions and established international peace parameters," according to a joint statement published on the European Union External Action's official website.

15 Feb 2023; MEMO: Israel has decided to reinforce the Border Guards in occupied Jerusalem by deploying three army reserve companies in order to speed up the demolition of Palestinian homes, Quds Net News has reported. According to Israeli public broadcaster KAN, the decision in this regard is expected to be approved in the coming days.

13 Feb 2023; MEMO: A former Palestinian prisoner has accused Israeli soldiers of stealing large amounts of cash along with some valuable belongings during a recent raid of his home in the town of Issawiya in occupied East Jerusalem.

According to Wafa news agency, the soldier stole $1,500 and several goods including perfumes and electronic gadgets belonging to former prisoner Ibrahim Dirbas.

13 Feb 2023; MEMO: Israel has "legalised" nine colonial outposts in the occupied West Bank, turning them into official settlements. The decision, which is said to be the first legalisation of such outposts by the Israeli government since 2012, has caused further irritation in Washington.

14 Feb 2023; MEMO: The regional offices of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) announced yesterday organising protests in several governorates against the security arrests of many trade unionists and the policies of the authorities.

Demonstrations are due to take place from 18 February in the governorates of Bizerte, Sfax, Kairouan, Nabeul, Jendouba and Monastir. Other areas are expected to join later.

14 Feb 2023; MEMO: The US Office of Palestinian Affairs in Jerusalem yesterday condemned the killing of a Palestinian by an Israeli settler in the occupied West Bank, calling for a "thorough and transparent investigation" into the incident.

13 Feb 2023; MEMO: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the situation in Jerusalem affects the whole world, adding that there is a pressing need to stay away from unilateral and provocative actions.

In a speech to in Arab League's session in support of Jerusalem, Guterres stressed that the United Nations' position is clear and that the status of Jerusalem cannot be changed through unilateral measures, including Israeli settlement activities.

13 Feb 2023; MEMO: Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday told the Arab League that he is going to ask the UN to grant Palestine full membership, and call on international courts and organisations to protect Palestinians, Wafa news agency reported.

This came during a conference on Jerusalem held in Cairo and attended by several Arab leaders, including Egypt's Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah II.

10 Feb 2023; MEMO: Keir Starmer is "serious" about purging the Labour party of anti-Zionism, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves, has said in an interview with Jewish News where the MP from Leeds West conflated anti-Semitism with Israel's founding political ideology.

09 Feb 2023; MEMO: Barcelona City Council yesterday issued a decree for the "temporary suspension" of relations with Israel as well as all of its institutions, including its twinning with the city of Tel Aviv, in protest against Israel's apartheid practices against Palestinians.