International Advocacy Unit
The International Advocacy Unit works to expose human rights violations, mobilize international support, and advocate for justice and dignity for Palestinians in Jerusalem.
Why was the unit established?
Following the occupation and illegal annexation of East Jerusalem in 1967, Israel granted Palestinian residents of the city a low and precarious civil status, “permanent residency,” and began implementing a series of discriminatory laws and policies against them, serving two main objectives:
First, to ensure that both sides of Jerusalem remain under Israeli control and sovereignty, and second, to maintain a Jewish majority in the city. As a result, Palestinians in East Jerusalem are forced to deal with the devastating effects of these racist measures against them. These measures, which aim to tighten Israel's grip on the city and severely stifle Palestinian identity, are numerous and include: Revocation of residency, denial of building permits, confiscation of Palestinian land, use of excessive force, systematic home demolitions, denial or restriction of access to social and other services, forced displacement, collectivization, looting of natural resources, and desecration of holy sites.
Our Goal
Responding to the crisis of denial of basic rights to the Palestinian community in Jerusalem since its establishment in 2016, the Advocacy Unit has pledged to expose, condemn, and challenge the Israeli occupation and its reprehensible and illegal treatment of Palestinians in Jerusalem. Our goal is to end the measures that prevent Palestinian Jerusalemites from living a life in safety and dignity.
We believe that this can be achieved through collaborative work with other human rights organizations, both local and international, that support the just struggle of Palestinians in Jerusalem for liberation, and that share our vision of a Jerusalem without occupation.
We want to mobilize active and informed supporters to urge international bodies to take action to prevent the State of Israel from implementing its illegal policies that deny Palestinians their basic human rights.
Engaging with the Community - Recognizing the Challenges
Engaging the Jerusalem community in international advocacy events is a key component of the Center's international advocacy strategy. Through the Legal Services Unit and the Community Advocacy Unit, we stay informed about the challenges faced by Palestinians in Jerusalem and ensure that we maintain strong ties with the Palestinian Jerusalemite community. The International Advocacy Unit analyzes the facts and information we gather from the community according to international law in order to come up with the best courses of action, which we then recommend to international actors.
This connection with the local community creates the informational foundation that allows us to build the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to raise the attention of local and international bodies.
Monitoring, Documentation and Reporting
Our Advocacy Unit monitors and documents human rights violations occurring in East Jerusalem, analyzes data collected in accordance with internationally binding legal standards, and prepares materials that expose occupation violations and highlight the social, political and economic reality of Palestinians in East Jerusalem.
Supporting and connecting people
Victims of abusive laws and policies have important contributions to make to our advocacy strategies. The Advocacy Unit develops and implements activities for the Palestinian Jerusalemite community to encourage them to tell their stories and actively participate in advocacy efforts. Through these activities, we train and empower community members, support their participation in briefings with the diplomatic community at home and abroad, and promote communication and dialogue with other human rights organizations and community networks. This is how the Center builds linkages between groups and creates a stronger collective response to Palestinian needs and issues in Jerusalem.
Mobilizing Supporters
We want local and international supporters to be informed and take action to contribute to reducing racism directed against Palestinians. Our strategy involves developing tools and activities that supporters can use to promote action by organizations and individuals who have the power to make the changes we need to see. Building our base of support, influence and power to effect change is a long-term process. We think creatively and strategically about how to use social and mainstream media, community actions, advocacy, and more to advance our campaigns.
Advocacy in Action
From community engagement to international mobilization, the unit connects local realities with global advocacy efforts to protect rights, dignity, and justice.