From the consequences of war to international solidarity: The Jericho Municipality is leading unremitting efforts

Prepared by: Jericho Municipality

The Jericho city has not been immune to the impact of Israel’s aggression against the Gaza Strip since 7 October. Primarily relying on agriculture and tourism, the city’s economy has also been affected by delayed salary payments to government personnel as well as by practices of the Israeli occupying forces (IOF), including closure, raids, arrests, and home demolitions. Israeli settler violence on highways further compromises citizens’ lives. 

Recent events have caused severe damage to the Jericho Municipality. Due to the closure imposed on the Jericho governorate at large, municipal efforts of infrastructure development and public service provision have been disrupted. Vital projects, including road pavement and street rehabilitation, have been suspended. The municipality has been incapable of providing necessary supplies to operate facilities and deliver day-to-day services. As a result, municipal revenues dropped by 67% in October 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. This has impeded many municipal services, including solid waste collection, street maintenance, and staff salary payments. 

Under extremely complex circumstances and capacity constraints, the municipality has made efforts to implement a set of procedures and decision in line with its political and national role vis-à-vis the current genocide against Gaza, while at the same time mitigating economic and social impacts. 

Political and national role 

The Jericho Municipality issued a number of political statements and urgent appeals to partner, twin, and friendly cities to expose IOF crimes and practices, which gravely violate all international laws and norms. The municipality also organised official and popular virtual meetings to uncover the suffering of Palestinians and the true scale of IOF breaches in all sectors. 

In a moving symbolic move, the Jericho Municipality sent a delegation of children of political prisoners and martyrs to France to participate in a summer camp. These children told compelling and inspiring stories about Palestinians’ suffering in an attempt to awaken the conscience of the world and support the just Palestinian cause. 

In a gesture of thanks and appreciation for ongoing support of the Palestinian cause, the Jericho Municipality named a square in the city centre after South Africa and hoisted the South African flag on the city hall. South Africa has played a significant role and filed a case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians. After the first ICJ session was held, the municipality distributed South African flags to local institutions and drivers to educate the population on the role South Africa played in supporting and promoting the resilience of Palestinians. Similarly, flags of the European countries that recognized Palestine were hoisted as a token of appreciation for their positions in support of the rights of our people. The Jericho Municipality decided to commemorate and name a city street after Aaron Bushnell, a serviceman of the US Air Force who set himself on fire in protest against the US policy and unlimited support of Israel in its war against Palestinians. 

The Jericho Municipality was at the forefront of institutions that provided all forms of support and assistance to, and stood in solidarity with, over 2,000 Gazan workers. The municipality has boycotted products of Israel and any other supporters. It organized a series of events, expressing solidarity with Gaza. Attended by a broad official and public representation, a condolence tent was erected in solidarity with families of victims of the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital massacre. Several rallies and sit-ins were also organized in solidary with Gaza. 

The municipality’s role in alleviating the impact of war on citizens 

The Jericho Municipality has effectively contributed to mitigating economic and social effects of the war on citizens by taking a set of initiatives that are responsive to current circumstances: 

1. Reducing the suffering resulting from closures: In the context of preparations for emergencies, the municipality held a series of meetings with local institutions to deliberate the consequences of closure, focusing on citizens stranded in the city. These meetings resulted in several procedures, including procurement of mobile latrines to provide basic services to citizens who wait for a long time at checkpoints. 

2. Promotional discounts: To provide facilities to citizens, the municipality announced a three-month extension up to the end of April 2024 to benefit from a promotional discount of 20% on citizens’ due debts.

 
3. Mobile phone app: The municipality created a smartphone app to allow citizens, particularly those residing outside the city, to access all municipal services easily and without having to visit the city hall. To be launched soon, the app enables citizens to submit applications, complaints, and inquiries about fees, debts, or any other services. 

4. Virtual tour: The municipality has enriched the experience of visiting the city by adding a virtual tour to its official website. The tour allows visitors to interactively explore tourist and archaeological attractions from around the world, promoting the visibility of Jericho as a global tourist destination.