Press Statement

Sharek Youth Forum Condemns the Continued Attacks on the Youth Village and the Targeting of Civilian and Youth Spaces in Palestine

Sharek Youth Forum strongly condemns the ongoing attacks and violations targeting the Youth Village west of Ramallah. On Friday evening, the village and its facilities were subjected to extensive vandalism, destruction, and smashing of property that continued for more than two consecutive hours, reflecting the systematic targeting of Palestinian civic and youth spaces.

In a dangerous escalation, Israeli occupation forces raided the Youth Village on Friday evening and intensively fired live ammunition and sound bombs throughout the area, causing fear and panic and inflicting further damage on the village and its facilities.

The Forum stresses that these attacks cannot be separated from the broader policy of restricting Palestinian civic spaces and targeting places that provide safe environments for youth, education, volunteerism, and community engagement. The Youth Village has never been merely a physical location; for years, it has represented an open civic space for Palestinian youth, a place for training, dialogue, culture, and community work.

The continuation of these attacks, including vandalism, destruction, gunfire, and intimidation, constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law and a direct attack on protected civilian spaces. It also reflects a dangerous escalation against Palestinian youth and community institutions.

Sharek Youth Forum holds the Israeli occupation authorities fully responsible for these attacks and for the risks they pose to the safety of staff members, volunteers, and visitors of the village. The Forum calls on international institutions, human rights organizations, and United Nations bodies to assume their responsibilities in protecting civic and youth spaces in Palestine and to put an end to the ongoing policy of impunity regarding violations against Palestinian civil society.

The Forum further affirms that these attacks will not deter it from continuing its national, social, and humanitarian mission, nor from continuing to work alongside Palestinian youth for dignity, freedom, and life.

Sharek Youth Forum

Palestine