The basic human rights of Palestinians and Palestinian organizations are consistently violated through a system of draconian laws, making it all the more clear how essential it is that people know their rights and know the legal organizations which are fighting gross inequalities.

Therefore, the Society of St. Yves held on Friday, December 2nd, its first annual “Know your Rights” event and Human Rights Bazaar, offering information about civil and social rights for Jerusalemites.

The event was opened by a blessing of H.E. William Shomali, Auxiliary Bishop of Jerusalem, followed by welcome notes of Fr. Emil Salayta, Vice Chairman of the Board of St. Yves, and Raffoul Rofa, Director of St. Yves.

Representatives of EAPPI, Silwan Information Center/Madaa , Caritas Jerusalem, WCLAC, Addameer, and PCATI took part in the Bazaar and displayed shared information with the community.

“We want bridges, not walls!”

The Salesian Sisters in Cremisan near Beit Jala are in danger of losing their educational compound. The Israeli army plans to build the separation wall through the land of the convent. This would be the end of the kindergarten, school, afternoon classes, summer camps, and center for children with learning disabilities, which are run by the nuns on the compound.

Although the army has suggested additionally an alternative route for the wall, both options will eventually shutter the nun’s mission.

St. Yves participated in Adalah's 6th Annual Law Students Camp 2011

The Society of St. Yves was invited by Adalah to participate in their sixth law students’ conference which took place this past weekend at Neve Shalom.

The conference theme was “Social Justice” – St. Yves was represented by the head of the legal department, Manal Hazzan Abu Sinni, on the panel focusing on the legal situation of East Jerusalem.

Also present in this session was Mr. Zakaria Odeh, from the Civic Coalition for Defending the Palestinians' Rights in Jerusalem (CCDPRJ), who screened a documentary prepared by the coalition about forced eviction in East Jerusalem (highlighting the case of Sheikh Jarrah). Advocate Hazzan gave a talk about home demolitions and revoking residency, followed by a talk from Advocate Nisreen Elayyan on behalf of ACRI who focused on child detention practices in Silwan.

The audience was Adalah staff and some 60 law students from all over the country.

The Society of St. Yves Celebrated its 20th Anniversary

The Society of St. Yves celebrated on Thursday, 19th of May, the Feast day of Saint Yves, its 20th anniversary.

In presence of donor representatives, church dignitaries and members of the diplomatic mission the Society commemorated its anniversary with a Holy mass, held by the Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal, and a following reception.