The Embassy of the State of Palestine to Ireland would like to bring to your attention a fact sheet on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict and the Israeli sexual violence against Palestinians, issued by the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, which is attached herewith.
On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, which falls on June 19 each year, the Palestinian people are exposed to the most heinous war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. The Palestinian people have the right to live in safety and enjoy legal protection. The world cannot ignore the systematic war crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces against all Palestinian people, specifically torture, including sexual violence.
The State of Palestine affirms its position of fully rejecting all forms of sexual violence and points out that the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) is committing systematic and widespread crimes and massacres against the Palestinian people on an ongoing basis. These crimes are not limited to premeditated murder, enforced disappearance, arbitrary arrests, starvation, forced displacement, demolition of houses, confiscation of land and property, and denial of access to medical and basic services. Additionally, the occupation forces have been using sexual violence as a tool of war for 75 years. For example, Israeli militias used sexual violence in the Al-Tantura and Deir Yassin massacres in 1948.
Furthermore, the IOF have been committing continuous attacks on male and female prisoners since 1969. Some cases of sexual violence against Palestinian children during detention were documented in a report published by UNICEF in 2013.
Since October 2023, the occupation has arrested more than 9,155 Palestinians, including 300 women and 635 children. Thousands of Palestinian prisoners face an unknown fate after their arrest. Official reports submitted by a group of special rapporteurs to the United Nations also confirmed that at least two Palestinian women were subjected to sexual violence, while all prisoners were threatened with it.
Additionally, investigative reports, articles, and live testimonies on sexual violence, including beatings, torture, harassment, verbal abuse, and forced nudity during arrest and investigation campaigns conducted by the Israeli occupation forces, have been documented.
The State of Palestine affirms that these heinous acts not only show an Israeli disregard for the dignity and rights of the Palestinian people but have also led to the most heinous war crimes and crimes against humanity. The State of Palestine emphasizes the principles of fair treatment, equality, and non-discrimination to ensure a fair and impartial investigation in dealing with war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, respecting international law and holding the colonial Israeli occupation accountable for its crimes and systematic violations of the rights of the Palestinian people in all places of its presence.
