Mr. Chairman,

The draft resolution before us, “Situation of and assistance to Palestinian women” (E/CN.6/2011/L.2), is nothing but a politically motivated, factually flawed exercise, which stands out as the only resolution of this Commission that focuses on one specific situation.

Such resolutions have absolutely no place in an important forum like the Commission on the Status of Women. Yet, as in past sessions, a group of Member States has again chosen to politicize a professional body by exerting pressure on the rest of the CSW membership to adopt this one-sided resolution.

Mr. Chairman,

This resolution clearly has no place in this hall. It will not advance the situation of Palestinian women or promote informed and responsible debate. If  the authors of this resolution were genuinely interested in improving the situation of Palestinian women, they would not have conveniently omitted so many crucial factors that significantly  contribute to their plight –– in particular, a multitude of alarming internal social conditions that Palestinian women face in their community.

Living within a patriarchal society, Palestinian women are all too often the victims of restrictive gender stereotypes, domestic violence, severe oppression, and honour killings. The Secretary-General report sites, among other things, 13 cases of Palestinian honour killings in 2009. It also mentions that gender-based discrimination persists in Palestinian law. For example, Palestinian laws relieve rapists who marry their victims of any criminal responsibility.

The findings of the Secretary-General report are supported by numerous studies conducted by Palestinian NGO’s, such as the Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counseling.

This organization conducted focus groups of Palestinian women for a 2009 study, which found that Palestinian women believe that “silence is the only way to protect themselves in such a patriarchal culture…This belief is also compounded by the opinion that society and social institutions cannot protect [them] or prevent the injustice, and even, to the contrary, may increase it.”

We see an even more oppressive environment for Palestinian women in Gaza, where the Hamas terrorist organization continues to rule. According to recent reports by Human Rights Watch, Hamas’ morality police have taken on an expanded role in the area, harassing, jailing, and abusing women for purported violations of Islamic law. These so-called violations can be as minor as failing to carry a marriage certificate when accompanying one’s husband in public.

At the same time, Hamas continues to attack Palestinian non-governmental organizations that promote civil society and work to ensure the protection and empowerment of women. Recently, Hamas’ Internal Security Service closed down six organizations in Gaza City and Rafah, including a women's health society and the Woman and Child Development Association.

Mr. Chairman,

In reading this resolution, it is as if these realities simply do not exist. Clearly, the challenges facing Palestinian women are significant. However, without addressing the internal situation of women’s human rights abuses and without describing the reality of Palestinian terrorism, which causes suffering to both Palestinian and Israeli women, this resolution is inadequate and misleading.

The situation of Palestinian women is caused by all of these conditions, but it is prolonged by the lack of political will among some Member States to discuss inconvenient truths – and publicly recognize what they privately acknowledge.

Mr. Chairman,

Israel has called for a vote on this resolution and will vote against it. We call on all Committee members committed to upholding the integrity and professional nature of this forum to join with us in voting against this resolution.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.