8 Introduction I am pleased to present the 26th Annual Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Palestine. The report seeks to provide a description that is as comprehensive and objective as possible of the human rights situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip in 2020. It monitors key positive and negative developments in each human right. The presentation is informed by a normative framework that is premised on international human rights conventions, which the State of Palestine has acceded to, as well as on the Palestinian Basic Law. Based on its accurate perception of the complicated crisis of the dominant internal Palestinian political divide, the ICHR is responsible for monitoring and documenting human rights abuses in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) and analyzing the legislative environment and current policies on the situation of rights and freedoms. Against this backdrop, the ICHR confirms that it is not the body, which gives legitimacy to one or other party. The primary mission of the ICHR is to ensure and maintain human rights and respect for human dignity. Accordingly, the characterization and terms used in this report are provided for the purpose of delineating the responsibility for the violations monitored by the Commission. The human rights track was marked by decline and deterioration as a result of the ongoing Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory and entrenched political divide. Legal and legislative frameworks have not been developed to remove obstacles to strengthening human rights and public freedoms or contribute to supporting the set of rights laid out by Palestinian Amended Basic Law of 2003. The ongoing internal Palestinian political divide has had bitter consequences on Palestinian society and public order at political, economic, and legal levels. Ultimately, public rights and freedoms disintegrated by encroachment, ban, and exclusion. These outcomes emerge at a time when all political factions have agreed on the need for putting an end to the political divide, which has generated multiple and deteriorating political, legislative, judicial, and economic crises. Persistent Israeli occupation, including expansionist colonial and racist practices, remains the primary violation of Palestinian individual and collective human rights. Occupation is the main obstacle that prevents Palestinian citizens from enjoying their fundamental rights to education, health, and economic life. It also precludes the enjoyment of the right to security of the person, right to life, right to freedom of movement, etc. In 2020, according to the platform announced and agreed among parties to the government coalition, the Israeli government attempted to annex 30 percent of the West Bank area, particularly in the Jordan Valley. De jure annexation was not implemented in view of significant international opposition and Palestinian reaction. However, de facto annexation is going on, posing an existential threat to Palestinians and thwarting the establishment of a viable Palestinian state. With the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) beginning in early 2020, states, govThe Status of Human Rights in Palestine