The international Conference on Jerusalem

The International Conference on Jerusalem was called for by the Arab League and will be hosted by the state of Qatar on February 26th and 27th 2012, with the Secretariat General of the Arab League and the Permanent Committee for Organizing Conferences of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs as co-organizers.

The conference will revolve around four major themes: • Jerusalem and international law • Jerusalem and History • Jerusalem, colonization and Israeli violations • Jerusalem and the civil society Jerusalem and international law This theme deals with the following topics: • Situation of Jerusalem according to international law before the occupation • Situation of Jerusalem after the Israeli occupation • Jerusalem’s population reality and future under the occupation • Holy places’ status according to international law

Israel as an occupying force is bound by international conventions and usages as regards its administration of the holy city. The legality of each of its acts impacting the demographics, urbanism, holy places, etc… of Jerusalem should be scrutinized and challenged and met with legal means wherever the deed breaches international conventions and usages.

It’s necessary to stress that Israel’s acts are temporary and shall entail no legal precedent or fait accompli situation. In particular, the violations aimed at rewriting history, counterfeiting facts and obliterating the Arab identity should be considered absolutely null and void according to the international legitimacy.

In this regard, it should be reminded that the international community did not give international legitimacy to the Israeli violations at whatever stage, the lack of success in preventing Israel from continuing such violations cannot imply recognition of their legitimacy.

This legal defense should be backed by Arab political and economic development plans aimed at countering the effects of the Israeli illegal practices within the city.

Jerusalem and History

This theme reviews the succeeding periods of Jerusalem’s rich History. It aims at pointing out the weaknesses of the Jew’s historical arguments backing their claims to the holy city. Of paramount importance is the disclosure of Israel’s deeds at falsifying History and archeology by means of destruction, omission, modification and fabrication of historical and archeological facts. By contrast, an emphasis should be put on the overwhelming set of evidence spread across the city showing its rooted past as an inalienable part of Palestine and a holy place for the divine religions.

Jerusalem, colonization and Israeli violations

This theme lists the Israeli violations and illegal practices that have been taking place in Jerusalem since the beginning of its occupation
• Colonization of occupied land
• Requisitions of land and property
• Displacement of population by means of pressure, harassment, falsification, violence, and even plain deportation
• Destruction of propriety
• Desecration of religious precincts
• Discrimination in favor of the Jewish population

To resist this protracted aggression, plans and action programmes should be devised to help the residents remain in the city by providing for their subsistence, health, education, habitation, infrastructure, social welfare and development. The cultural and religious identity of the residents and landscape should be reaffirmed and protected politically, economically and legally, the ultimate goal being the reassertion of Jerusalem as the capital city of the Palestinian state.

Jerusalem and the civil society

This theme covers the civil society organizations within Jerusalem, their evolution under the shadow of occupation, their contribution to the struggle of the Palestinian people on both the political and welfare levels, and the Israeli various attempts to hinder their activities.

The International Conference for Jerusalem will be held on February 26th and 27th at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Doha, with more than 400 participants from 50 countries and organizations.