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http://www.internationalpopularstruggle.org/
April 8 2011

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A Civil Peace Service for the Gaza waters Mission and Concept note
by Intl. Network for the Palestinian Nonviolent Popular Resistance

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We have been asked by the Fisher men Union of Gaza and the Fishing and Marine Sports Association of Gaza to deploy a Civilian Peace Service in the Gaza Sea to monitor HHRR violations towards the fishermen.
 
You will find more information in the attached documents.

The PCHR, UAWC and PSCC are asking us to deploy the Civil Peace Service... and through individual donations the Popular Committees and ISM have already been able to raise more than 10.000 euros in order to buy the boat. Some brave internationals have already confirmed that they will be on board on daily basis, the PCHR has confirmed that will be in charge of the on land coordination of the boat and the training of the participants and the PSCC will cover with legal expenses in case of arrest.  It is a risky project... but it is almost done and we expect that it will give publicity and awareness to one of the most difficult situations of the holy land.  And it needs your support. How?  It is key in order to make a successful intervention to receive the support of international organizations. When medias will ask who is under the Civilian Peace Services we should be able to answer with a long list of organizations. In order to achieve it... I suggest:  1. We need the involvement of all the NGO´s and associations that are part of the Network. What do you think? To make the debate easier you are expected to sign the Mission for the CPS attached to this email. Nova (an others) has already done it. Can we coun with you? Please, confirm. The idea is that though this initiative we will give a lot of publicity to the network!  2. When we will have the support of 10-15 key organizations from different countries we will collect signatures through an i-petitions system.  3. Luisa... I will call you in a while, but it will be FANTASTIC if you accept to be the spokeperson of the initiative (if needed).  

Gervasoni Luca

General Goal:

·       Deploying an international third party non violent civil peace service in Gaza Territorial Water, according to International Law, that will support Rule of Law and monitor potential HHRR violations.

Targeted Group:

·       This project is targeting vulnerable communities that operate in the Gaza territorial water (according to International Law). It will focus mainly in monitoring the work of Gaza fishermen usually targeted by the military forces operating in Gaza waters.

Specific Goal:

·       Deploying a limited peace team of around 10 to 20 trained professional international observers in Gaza territorial water (travelling in a identifiable boat) reporting to the parties and to International Community representatives on Rule of Law violations and monitoring Human Rights abuses.

Problems to be addressed:

·       Violation of International Law and Bilateral agreements: Under the Oslo Accords, a peace agreement between the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Israel signed in 1993, fishermen in Gaza were legally allowed to venture out 20 nautical miles[1]. Israeli Military authorities reduced the area to 12 miles by the time of the unilateral disengagement of Israel from the Gaza Strip in 2005. Since the military “Operation Cast Lead” in December 2008, the limit was set up to 3 miles. Local and international eyewitnesses claim this limit is imposed by gun fire.

·       Arrests and detentions: Local sources declared that between 27 December 2010 and 27 of January 2011, 5 attacks against fishermen, carried out by the Israeli Navy, were reported^[2], arresting 16 people, two of them children^[3].  According to PCHR, between June 2008 and August 2009, 55 fishermen and 3 international activists were detained.

·       Confiscation of Fishing Equipment. Between June 2008 and August 2009, Israeli military forces confiscated 26 boats and number of fishing tools and nets. As a result the fishermen were unable to work and sustained heavy financial losses. A small boat (Hasaka), such as the ones confiscated, is the only income source for an average of 6 families. Poverty among fishermen in 2010 has been the highest of all the population groups in Gaza. It is estimated at 90%, up from 50% in 2008^[4]

·       Violations of Fishermen's Right to Life, Security and Safety. According to the PCHR[5], Israeli Military forces violate Palestinian fishermen’s right to life, security and safety. The direct targeting of civilians is a violation of international humanitarian law, and amounts to a war crime. PCHR documented between June 2008 and August 2009 several cases in which fishermen and their boats were attacked. These attacks resulted in the murder of one fisherman, while eight others were injured. A number of fishing boats and equipment was also damaged.

^·                 Sources of poverty: According to Gaza-based Palestinian think-tank PAL-Think,10 years ago there used to be about 6,000 fishermen in Gaza catching 3,000 tons of fish a year. Nowadays there are around 4.000 fishermen and 50.000 additional jobs related to it^[6]. The Israeli blockade also prevents the export of fish out of Gaza, further hitting the livelihoods of fishermen. According to the fishermen syndicate, international presence in the sea reduces the hostilities against fishermen and increase more than 10 times the amount of fish capture^[7].

Fundamental principles

·       Professionalism of the peace team members and organizational structures. The peace team that will be deployed as part of the third-party nonviolent intervention should be composed by men and women with several years of relevant work experience that have undergone a thorough assessment and training before their placement. Also, those persons should work within a stable organizational structure, following rules such as Codes of Conduct and Standard Operating Procedures.

·       Sustainability of results: Changing violent structures and attitudes needs longer term timeframes. The structure of the peace team should enable local actors to continue the work or changes at the socio-political level that are self-supporting. Targeted groups will be empowered to deal in a constructive manner.

·       Conflict sensitivity: The suggested deployment should be based on a deep conflict analysis. All activities within the project should be confirmed and approved by local supporters of the intervention before the start of the project. The peace team members will be trained to respect local cultural codes, and be aware of the potential unintended harm they might cause to local civil society and conflict dynamics.

·       Politically Independent: The deployed peace team would seek dialogue with stakeholders from all conflicting parties. The peace team will entirely follow principles of non-violence and be independent from political parties. Despite the general openness for dialogue, they should be strongly committed with the defense and protection of human rights and nonviolence principles and take clear positions against violence and any abuses carried out.

·       Legitimacy: External intervention must be based on local acceptance and local support. The intervention and activities suggested should be based on transparent policies, needs assessment-based project design and implementation which include local expertise and local support from civil society organizations. Conflict transformation and social change cannot be achieved through outside intervention, but require local ownership and people's active participation.

·       Internationalism: The locally accepted and demanded non-partisan, professional peace team will benefit from its greater media and political reach in front of the military forces operating in Gaza Territorial Water. The peace team will also cross geographical divides more easily and communicate with all constituencies.

Duration:

·       The project will start the 20 of April 2011 and it will be launched in the framework of activities around the 6^th Bil’in International Conference.