UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People
with support from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
International Conference on the Question of Jerusalem
“Forced demographic change in Jerusalem – grave breaches and a threat to peace”
Thursday, 1 July 2021, 10.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m. (NY Time)
On 1 July 2021, the Committee held the annual International Conference on the question of Jerusalem with support from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), under the theme “Forced demographic change in Jerusalem – grave breaches and a threat to peace”. The discussion panel comprised of Ms. Lara Friedman (USA), Mr. Michael Lynk (UN Special Rapporteur), Ms. Suma Qawasmi (East Jerusalem), Ms. Nivine Sandouka, (East Jerusalem) and Emily Schaeffer Omer-Man (Israel).
The Panellists highlighted decades-long Israeli policies and actions to promote Jewish settlement into and Palestinian emigration from Jerusalem, enabled by a legal system ignoring international law and excluding the political context of a power imbalance between Jewish Israelis and Palestinians. The young Palestinian representatives outlined their daily struggles and peaceful resistance, highlighting the power of social media and international support.
The event was livestreamed on UN TV and UN social media.
