The UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 10 in Jerusalem: The unequal legal status of Palestinian residents in the territory annexed by Israel

Abstract

The establishment of strict nationality laws leaves millions of individuals with no bond to a state and rises profound inequalities globally. Meanwhile, the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development remains committed to “leave no-one behind” and presents a roadmap that combines a series of Goals and targets to reach a sustainable future in which everyone would be included. This paper analyses the dynamics and conditions of a specific inequality that leads to all other: strict nationality laws based on ethno-religious grounds. The employment of the case-study of East Jerusalem Palestinians’ legal status as residents of Israel but citizens of no State, aim to portray the roots of an uneven legal system in which this vulnerable group is in constant threat of statelessness. It assesses where does Israel, as a State with a clear religious national identity, stands regarding Sustainable Development Goal 10 “reduced inequalities” and Target 10.3 “ensure equal opportunities and reduce inequalities of outcome, including through eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices in this regard”. It proposes programs and practices for reducing inequalities and ensuring a legal status to Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem in which they are not threatened to render stateless, and stress the explicit inclusion of nationality laws on Goal 10. The overall aim of this dissertation is to raise awareness and provoke debate, reflection, and subsequent action about exclusive nationality laws, statelessness, and the blueprint of the Agenda 2030 to reverse the trend.