A/HRC/10/29 the construction of the wall/fence in the West Bank; removing the more than 500 checkpoints and barriers impeding the movement of Palestinians; and reversing policies and practices that undermine the rights to health, education, housing, work and an adequate standard of living in the occupied territories, as well as for the Bedouin communities in Israel. It stated that many of the recommendations made had taken on an additional urgency in the wake of the recent conflict in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel, and it urged their full and prompt implementation. 476. The Arab Commission for Human Rights stated that the lack of cooperation reduced the opportunity for a dialogue and the effectiveness of the universal periodic review. It suggested that the Council should not adopt the report. It noted that countries from various regions had expressed their concerns and made realistic and measureable requests to end the human rights violations against the Palestinians. It indicated that the behaviour of the Hebrew State as an occupying Power was in contradiction with its international obligations. The Commission stated that the separation wall, the segregation, the fragmentation of the Palestinian territories and the expulsion of Palestinians compromised the establishment of peace and the right of future generations to solve the problem. The Commission concluded by expressing its hope that the Palestinians would one day have an independent and sovereign State. 477. The Charitable Institute for Protecting Social Victims stated that the implications of Israeli air strikes and ground invasions went beyond the destruction of infrastructure to the loss of innocent people’s lives, including those of women, children and the elderly. It indicated that Palestinians had experienced oppression and continuous traumatic experiences and massive destruction, including internal displacement. More than two thirds of Palestinian women and children suffered from trauma. It emphasized the necessity of respecting international humanitarian law and formation of an independent fact-finding delegation as part of the responsibilities of the Council with regard to Palestine. It called upon the Council to deliver an independent report on the psychological and mental trauma of Palestinian women and children, especially in the Gaza Strip. 478. The World Federation of the United Nations, speaking on behalf of the United Nations Association of Iran, noted the continued neglect of civilians’ rights as human rights violations, in particular in the Gaza Strip. The Federation stated that Israel had violated all international human rights and humanitarian instruments. It indicated that children in Gaza were facing health epidemics and that, according to the World Health Organization, trapped Palestinian children were at risk owing to the lack of vaccination. The Federation referred to the likelihood of a health crisis and to the inflicted health trauma caused by the threeweek offensive in Gaza. 479. The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies commended the engagement of Israel in the universal periodic review process. It noted that international bodies and United Nations mechanisms, including the Council, had concluded that the confiscation and settlement of occupied Palestinian lands by Israel constituted illegal acts under international law. It noted that the process of settlement continued unabated. It said that the illegal policy of settlement and territorial confiscation had led to the violation of the fundamental rights of Palestinians and the endangerment of security and basic rights of all Israeli citizens. It asked about steps taken or to be taken by the Government to end this policy and dismantle settlements. It said that acknowledgement by Israel of the suffering of the Palestinian people caused by the occupation and policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territory would constitute an important first step in addressing the current political impasse. The State’s unwillingness to adequately address the human rights violations committed by Israeli forces within its review report was an ominous sign. 480. Conscience and Peace Tax International regretted that the response of Israel to the recommendations had not been made available in advance. It expressed its interest in the GE.09-17451 163