Celebrating 150 Years of Humanitarian Action

For 150 years, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been striving to alleviate the suffering of victims of war and violence, wherever they may be.

The ICRC started work in Israel and the occupied territories in 1948, following the first Israeli-Arab conflict. ICRC’s presence in Israel and the occupied territories became permanent in the aftermath of the 1967 war.

Over the last months, we have celebrated our 150^th birthday – and 66 years of humanitarian work in Israel and the occupied territories – with a travelling photo exhibition in Ramallah, Tel Aviv, Gaza, Hebron, Nablus, Jenin and Bethlehem. (See pictures from the exhibition at the end of this article).

Some of the 55 photos in the exhibition featured historic images from the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon from 1982-2000, as well as the ICRC’s humanitarian assistance in the West Bank and Gaza.

“We selected iconic images of our past and present challenges in Israel and the occupied territories. They also reflect our history, our cooperation and support to the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the Israeli Magen David Adom,” said Jaqcues de Maio, head of the ICRC delegation in Israel and the occupied territories.

150 Years: From Battlefield to Detention

Since the ICRC was founded 150 years ago, the constantly changing nature of war and other violence has continually thrown up new challenges for humanitarian action.

Mr. Asfour, who benefited from ICRC prison visits, was interested to discover ICRC’s many activities worldwide during the exhibition in Gaza.

Throughout this time, the ICRC has adapted to the latest developments, with the sole aim of protecting and assisting people affected by armed conflict.

Initially restricted to caring for sick and wounded soldiers on the battlefield, the scope of the ICRC’s work grew to include other persons caught up in war and its consequences.

With its mandate extended to prisoners of war, civilians, displaced people and refugees, the organization expanded the range of its activities accordingly. As well as visiting prisoners and facilitating communication with their families, the ICRC gradually began distributing food and other relief items to people in need.

“In the occupied territories, the ICRC supports health care and physical rehabilitation services for war-wounded patients or victims of other violence. We are also repairing water and sanitation systems and offering livelihood programmes for the most vulnerable, for example supplying seeds, farming tools, fishing equipment and livestock,” de Maio said.

The rules of war

Promoting the principles of international humanitarian law is also central to the ICRC’s action. Since it was founded in 1863, the organization has endeavored to impose limits on the methods and means of warfare.

To this end, the ICRC approaches the parties in conflict and urges them to spare and respect the rights of people not, or no longer, taking part in the hostilities.

These efforts have led to the adoption of a set of international laws of war, the most well known being the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949.

In addition to being the ‘guardian’ of modern international humanitarian law, the ICRC also seeks to raise awareness and foster compliance with this body of law.

“The ICRC reminds Israel of its obligations under international humanitarian law towards the population living under occupation, through bilateral and confidential dialogue. The ICRC also maintains dialogue on compliance with international humanitarian law and other international standards with the Palestinian Authority, the de facto authorities in Gaza and Palestinian armed groups,” de Maio said.