Recommended Reports

R1. PALESTINIAN CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (PCHR), “SILENCING THE PRESS,” GAZA CITY, 25 MAY 2014

This 28-page report is the 16th in the “Silencing the Press” series, which is produced by the PCHR to bring attention to Israeli abuses of press freedom in the occupied Palestinian territories. It covers the period from 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2014 and shows a significant increase in the number of violent incidents involving members of the press. The report is available at www.pchrgaza.org.

R2. INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION (ILO), “THE SITUATION OF WORKERS OF THE OCCUPIED ARAB TERRITORIES,” GENEVA, MAY 2014

In the lead-up to the 103rd session of the ILO’s annual labor conference, the agency released this 60-page report on labor issues facing Palestinian workers in the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. The report, which is an updated version of previous ILO reports on the subject, features chapters about the political, economic, and social dimensions of labor. It is available at www.ilo.org.

R3. DEFENSE FOR CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL – PALESTINE, “GROWING UP BETWEEN ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS AND SOLDIERS,” RAMALLAH, 19 JUNE 2014

This 43-page report explores the “devastating” impact of Israeli settlements and military outposts on Palestinian children who grow up nearby. It summarizes the broader issues, providing a concise “top five facts” about violence against Palestinian children, and, using case studies, it details the individual experiences of several Palestinian children and their families. The report is available at www.dci-palestine.org.

R4. PALESTINIAN MINISTRY OF HEALTH, ANNUAL HEALTH REPORT 2013, RAMALLAH, JUNE 2014

Every year, the Palestinian Ministry of Health produces a report about the state of health in the occupied Palestinian territories. This report, covering 2013, includes information about demographic trends, health status trends, and other general health-related subjects. The report itself is 50 pages long but includes 213 pages of annexes that contain detailed charts, tables, and graphs. It is available at www.moh.ps.

R5. CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE (CRS), “U.S. AID TO THE PALESTINIANS,” WASHINGTON, DC, 3 JULY 2014

Referred to as “Congress’s think tank,” the CRS produces short reports for U.S. legislators with legal and policy analysis on relevant issues. Each report offers historical overviews, including past legislation, and policy options. This 34-page report, relating to U.S. aid to the Palestinians in 2014, is available online at www.fas.org.

R6. INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP, “GAZA AND ISRAEL: NEW OBSTACLES, NEW SOLUTIONS,” BRUSSELS/ JERUSALEM, 14 JULY 2014

Published one week after Israel launched its assault on the Gaza Strip, this 12-page report analyzes the “destructive status quo” that led to Operation Protective Edge. It offers a vision for a resolution of the current conflict, specifically highlighting the diplomatic and political factors required. The full report, including a color map of Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, is available at www.crisisgroup.org.

R7. CENTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, “ATTACKS ON GAZA & INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW,” NEW YORK CITY, 31 JULY 2014

Published in response to allegations of war crimes and other violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) during Israel’s assault on Gaza, this two-page factsheet explains key terms and offers possible avenues for accountability relating to IHL and human rights law. It is available at www.ccrjustice.org.

R8. BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, “PROTECTING SYRIAN REFUGEES: LAWS, POLICIES, AND GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY SHARING,” BOSTON, JULY 2014

Researched and written by a small group of students and professors at the Boston University Law School’s International Human Rights Clinic, this 134-page report offers a comprehensive plan of action for managing the Syrian refugee crisis and a detailed analysis of the legal issues that are creating barriers to relief and protection for refugees fleeing Syria, including Palestinians. The full text is available at www.bu.edu/law, and it includes annexes listing major NGOs that support refugees in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey.

R9. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, STATEMENT ON OBSTRUCTIONS TO MEDICAL AID, LONDON, 7 AUGUST 2014

This seven-page statement includes a brief report on Israeli attacks against Palestinian health workers and emergency medical personnel, and offers as evidence the testimonies of seven Palestinians who either witnessed such attacks or sustained injuries from them. The full statement is available at www.amnesty.org.