The occupied Palestinian territories and Israel
Oxfam is providing clean water, and supporting Fair Trade, minority rights, and steps towards a just peace through a negotiated solution.
Update: Gaza crisis
Pressing for peace
The conflict in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel continues to deny ordinary people their basic rights.
Oxfam believes that Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories for over 40 years should be ended as one essential step towards peace and to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
We support an inclusive and negotiated process to resolve the final status issues that have been at the heart of the conflict for years.
More on how Oxfam believes peace can be achieved
The state of Gaza should shame us all, by Oxfam Director Barbara Stocking
How Oxfam is helping
In the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Oxfam works with Palestinians to ensure they have clean water supplies and can produce enough food for their families. We work with communities affected by the consequences of the Israeli occupation.
Oxfam's work In depth: Interactive map
In Israel, we work with organisations that highlight the link between increased Israeli poverty and the cost of the conflict with the Palestinians.
Human rights are sacred rights we should care about. Everyone has the right to live in freedom and dignity.
Israeli doctor, Oxfam partner, Physicians for Human Rights
Learn more
Read more examples of our work in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel:
ECHO (Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission) is a funding partner of Oxfam in the occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel
Turning the tap on
Clean water is at a premium in the West Bank, where people live under the strain of the continuing occupation. Water supplies are particularly precarious in areas where Israeli military control limits access to water and to the development of water resources. They are also being cut in Gaza by the Israeli blockade of fuel, and spare parts for water services.
Safe water for drinking is a human right that International law says must not be interfered with at any time and must not be included in any sanction or embargo. Clean water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene is essential for health. People who are forced to drink contaminated water face severe health problems.
How Oxfam is helping
We are working in the most water-deprived areas of the West Bank to improve people's access to drinking water and the water they need for their sheep and goats.
Things are much better now than before. We are much happier. The water comes from the taps and then goes to irrigate the garden.
Sejha Bashar, West Bank
Other development work
- Oxfam is carrying out extensive public health work
- Helping people improve their food security and liveilhoods
- Supporting civil society to promote the protection of civilians and change public opinion in favour of a just peace
Oxfam's work in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel in depth
Crisis in Gaza
Israel’s blockade has meant that the one and a half million people living in Gaza are facing shortages of food, medical supplies and water equipment.
Gaza’s economy is being destroyed because raw materials are not being allowed into Gaza; farmers and businesses are unable to produce and export their goods leaving 70,000 people and their families without an income -nearly half a million people.
How Oxfam is helping
We are working with Israeli and Palestinian partners to respond to the deepening humanitarian situation in Gaza. We are also calling for an immediate end to the Israeli blockade and for the resumption of fuel and electricity supplies.
Middle East crisis 2006
In response to the month-long war between Israel and Lebanon in July 2006, Oxfam launched a £1 million appeal to help innocent people caught up in the fighting.
Find out more about Oxfam's response to the Middle East crisis
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Blog
Omar, a humanitarian officer working in partnership with Oxfam, has been blogging about life in the Gaza Strip
