Struggle for Statehood - Launched June 24, 2015 - Full multimedia experience: audio, stills, text and or video: Go to zReportage.com to see more - On April 1, 2015 Palestine officially joined The Hague-based International Criminal Court. This follows the 2012 recognition of Palestine by the United Nations as a non-member observer state, essentially giving it the same diplomatic status as Vatican City. Palestine now has membership in 44 international treaties - a firm assertion of statehood. This however remains a region in conflict with regular clashes between Palestinian youth and Israeli forces in the WestBank, consisting mainly of rocks and teargas. These clashes, though serious are dwarfed by the events of the 2014 Israel-Gaza War that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to address with the International Criminal Court. Another obstacle facing the Palestinians is its fractious politics. The Fatah party controls the West Bank, while the Gaza Strip is controlled by Hamas. Perhaps one of the greatest challenges facing Mr. Abbas is the unification of these two political groups. This could be essential for the global recognition of the nation of Palestine. Yet, the struggle for statehood isn't about, in a daily sense, politics or religion. It is most notably about land and identity. It is about family and the people's desire to have a future for themselves and their children.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 4, 2011 - Bil'in, West Bank - A Palestinian youth in the midst of throwing stones at Israeli forces.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 4, 2011 - Bil'in, West Bank - A Palestinian boy kicks a tear gas canister down the hill and away from others who were within range of Israeli fire.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 7, 2011 - Ramallah, West Bank - Posters and paintings of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat can be seen all over the West Bank.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 8, 2011 - Qalandia Checkpoint, West Bank - Street kids sell trinkets at the Qalandia Checkpoint. This is the primary checkpoint between Israel and the West Bank.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 8, 2011 - Ramallah, West Bank - Calf's blood is used on the hands of children to bless a home in Al-Amary refugee camp.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 17, 2011 - Jerusalem, Israel - Palestinians and Israelis share the old city of Jerusalem.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 18, 2011 - Bil'in, West Bank - ABDULLAH ABDEL RAHMAH two days after his release from an Israeli prison, stands in front of banners that had been calling for his release.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 18, 2011 - Bil'in, West Bank - A Palestinian man throws a tear gas grenade back at Israeli forces.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 19, 2011 - Hebron, West Bank - A Palestinian boy taunts a young, yet heavily armed Israeli soldier.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 19, 2011 - Hebron, West Bank - A Palestinian woman rushes her children past a group of Israeli soldiers and settlers.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 22, 2011 - Hebron, West Bank - A cobbler in his shop.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 22, 2011 - Hebron, West Bank - A long vacant Palestinian home in the old city of Hebron has been vandalized in a practice known as price tagging.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 25, 2011 - Nabi Saleh, West Bank - Villagers decorate a fence with used tear gas canisters and concussion grenades.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 28, 2011 - Jalazone Refugee Camp, West Bank - A boy tends a makeshift soccer goal that has been spray painted on a wall in Jalazone refugee camp.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 31, 2011 - Dheisheh Refugee Camp, West Bank - Men smoke a combination of heishei and tobacco.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 1, 2011 - Bil'in, West Bank - IBRAHIM BURNAT waves Palestinian flags defiantly while being hit with a foul-smelling chemical. The substance resembles feces and is sprayed from an Israeli water cannon.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
April 1, 2011 - West Bank - A Palestinian demonstrator attempts to break through a group of Israeli border police.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
April 1, 2011 - Bil'in, West Bank - A boy suffers the effects of tear gas during a demonstration. A left-wing Israeli activist swabbed his eyes with an alcohol pad to alleviate the symptoms.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
April 4, 2011 - Hebron, West Bank - Palestinian children linger in front of the Israeli military guarded Beit Romano settlement in Hebron.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
April 9, 2011 - West Bank - A Palestinian youth is stopped and searched by an Israeli army patrol. These searches are common and are usually considered harassment.
© Gabriel Romero/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Nov. 6, 2013 - Bethlehem, West Bank - U.S. Secretary of State JOHN KERRY meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem to discuss peace negotiations.
© Gabriel Romero/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Nov. 29, 2013 - South Hebron Hills, West Bank - A woman tending her yard in At-Tuwani.
© Gabriel Romero/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Dec. 7, 2013 - Nabi Saleh, West Bank - Demonstrators clash with Israeli military forces.
© Gabriel Romero/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Dec. 7, 2013 - Nabi Saleh, West Bank - Rocks in the hands of a Palestinian demonstrator.
© Gabriel Romero/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Dec. 7, 2013 - Nabi Saleh, West Bank - A man holding a poster of Nelson Mandela is assisted by medical personnel after an Israeli tear gas attack.
© Gabriel Romero/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Dec. 20, 2013 - Kufr Qudoom, West Bank - An Israeli army tear gas attack.
© Gabriel Romero/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Dec. 31, 2013 - West Bank - Palestinians celebrate the release of 26 men as part of peace negotiations with Israel.
© Gabriel Romero/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Dec. 31, 2013 - Ramallah, West Bank - Palestinian President MAHMOUD ABBAS addresses a crowd who had gathered to celebrate the release of 26 Palestinian prisoners by Israel.
© Gabriel Romero/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
