ICRC News 43 / 09-Nov-00

** SHORT MENU....

Israel and the occupied/autonomous territories: Red Shield of David and
Palestine Red Crescent on alert in Jerusalem

Ever since the troubles flared up, hundreds of Magen David Adom (Red Shield
of David) and Palestine Red Crescent first-aid workers and ambulance
drivers have been reporting to their respective centres in Jerusalem every
morning for fresh supplies, preparing themselves for the next clashes
between Israelis and Palestinians, which usually start in early afternoon.

Israel and the occupied/autonomous territories: A delegate's work on the
West Bank
"We don't often get the chance to keep to the programme we've set the day
before. Priorities are continually being changed by events." Caroline
Rouvrey, the ICRC delegate responsible for the Ramallah area of the West
Bank, is on her way to the small village of Himza, where there have just
been clashes between Israelis and Palestinians.

Philippines: Bringing humanitarian law into the classroom:
A seminar to raise awareness of humanitarian law among university
professors has culminated in the setting up of a society to spearhead the
teaching of the subject in the Philippines.



** STORIES IN FULL...

Israel and the occupied/autonomous territories
Red Shield of David and Palestine Red Crescent
on alert in Jerusalem

Ever since the troubles flared up, hundreds of Magen David Adom (Red Shield
of David) and Palestine Red Crescent first-aid workers and ambulance
drivers have been reporting to their respective centres in Jerusalem every
morning for fresh supplies, preparing themselves for the next clashes
between Israelis and Palestinians, which usually start in early afternoon.

On the Palestinian side, emergency vehicles are drawn up a short distance
from the flash-points. A first-aid post is hurriedly set up on the ground
floor of a building, away from immediate danger. A short time later,
ambulance sirens are heard and the first of the injured arrive for
treatment. Fortunately, most of today's injuries are minor, and the
patients can return home after treatment.

On the Israeli side, ambulances bearing the red star of David take the
wounded to fully-equipped emergency units.

As night falls and fighting ceases, the first-aid workers return to their
bases. The events of the day are reviewed and then everyone grabs a few
hours' rest in preparation for the clashes that the next day will surely
bring.

Since the crisis started, the Palestine Red Crescent Society has treated
7,110 persons in its mobile first-aid posts, transferring to hospital the
20% most seriously injured. The Magen David Adom has treated 425 persons,
53 of whom were Israeli soldiers.


Israel and the occupied/autonomous territories
A delegate's work on the West Bank

"We don't often get the chance to keep to the programme we've set the day
before. Priorities are continually being changed by events." Caroline
Rouvrey, the ICRC delegate responsible for the Ramallah area of the West
Bank, is on her way to the small village of Himza, where there have just
been clashes between Israelis and Palestinians. The home of a Palestinian
family has been partially destroyed, and the villagers are afraid to
venture out onto the main roads in the tense atmosphere that has ensued.

Ms Rouvrey enquires about damage and loss of property in the village. The
fact that the population of about 100 is restricted to a confined area has
heightened fears that supply routes might be cut off. She takes notes and
thinks about how things might be improved for the villagers. She offers to
ask the Israeli authorities if they will relax their cordon to make it
easier for the inhabitants to move around. "In this case there are clearly
more victims on the Palestinian side, but the point we always make in our
dealings with the various authorities is that the ICRC's mandate is to help
everyone - people's needs are our only concern."

About 20 delegates are currently working on the West Bank, in the Gaza
Strip and in East Jerusalem.

Further information: Suzanne Berger, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++ 41 22 730 23 07


Philippines
Bringing humanitarian law into the classroom

A seminar to raise awareness of humanitarian law among university
professors has culminated in the setting up of a society to spearhead the
teaching of the subject in the Philippines.

Participants in the five-day event, organized jointly by the ICRC and the
University of the Philippines, included prominent lawyers, professors and
judges. They explored various aspects of the law - such as provisions
concerning women, children, refugees, internally displaced people and
landmines - and discussed the law as it relates to the Philippine
experience. Australian Red Cross representatives and ICRC staff working in
the region spoke on the connection between humanitarian law and the work of
the Red Cross.

The new Philippine Society for International Humanitarian Law, formed as a
result of the seminar, will work to encourage inclusion of the subject in
the school curriculum and to foster the growing body of related literature
in the country.

Further information: ICRC Manila, tel. ++ 632 89 28 901


During the weekend of 11 - 12 November 2000, for all information please
call the press officer on duty Antonella Notari, on (mobile) 41 79 217 32
80