FBA’s work with Palestine
The humanitarian situation in Palestine is severe and has long been affected by the Israeli occupation. In addition to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, reports of human rights violations and violence in the West Bank have increased. FBA’s work in Palestine is carried out primarily through secondments to EU actors and through the Zaida Catalán Memorial Scholarship.
Zaida Catalán Memorial Scholarship on Women, Peace and Security
In 2020, the Swedish government tasked FBA with establishing a scholarship to increase knowledge of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
The scholarship was created in memory of peacebuilder Zaida Catalán, who served as a gender expert in several international peace operations, including in Palestine. Its purpose is to recognise young peacebuilders engaged in promoting women’s participation in conflict resolution.
In Palestine, FBA manages the scholarship in cooperation with MIFTAH – the Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy.
Secondments to EU
FBA also contributes staff to the EU Representation to Palestine (“Office of the European Union Representative – West Bank and Gaza Strip”), established in 1994. This office is part of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and cooperates with EU member states’ diplomatic missions, as well as the European Commission’s development and humanitarian departments.
FBA also seconds staff to the EU police mission EUPOL COPPS, established in 2006 to support the Palestinian Authority in building institutions for a future Palestinian state, with a focus on security and justice sector reforms.
EUPOL COPPS: 2 personnel
Voices from our collaboration
About the video
When Sara El-Khatib received the FBA’s 1325 scholarship for women, peace and security for Palestine, she looked forward to bringing out the stories of Palestinian women. After six months with the Palestinian civil society organization MIFTAH, she particularly carries with her the collected voices of starving women in Gaza. Along with the realization that she, as an individual, can help contribute to change—and that others actually listen to her ideas.
