News
Continuing fostering cooperation among Palestinian key stakeholders and civil society
Fostering cooperation and deepening mutual understanding among key Palestinian criminal justice stakeholders and civil society in view of the establishment of a functioning and sovereign Palestinian state remains high on the EU agenda, thus is a key EUPOL COPPS engagement. As a follow up to the EUPOL COPPS lead Building Bridges in Bethlehem’s (BBB) workshop held last year, EUPOL COPPS was in Bethlehem on 16/10. The engagement marks the continuous Mission commitment, jointly by Justice and Security Sector Reform Units, for creating a strategic network between Palestinian entities representing the whole criminal justice chain and other key social actors, playing a central role in promoting rule of law, stability, trust, and community cohesion. As an outcome of the Building Bridges event the cooperation and dialogue between criminal justice stakeholders are strengthened. Topics discussed included the current state of play on overcoming overcrowding of cases (backlog) with practical internal, doable here & now solutions and enhancing efficiency in providing justice public services to the community.
Empowering and Advancing Women in the Legal Profession: Palestinian Lawyers Network launched
Enhancing the presence of female lawyers in Palestinian institutions is a must. Why? Women count for 40% of practicing lawyers in Palestine, yet their representation in leadership, for example within the Palestinian Bar Association (PBA) council, in executive bodies or in key decision-making roles, is lacking. In recognition of this gap, and with the shared commitment to promote gender equality within the legal sector, EUPOL COPPS, in coordination with the Head of the PBA, supported the establishment of a Female Lawyers Network. The official launch of the Network and the presentation of the Female Network Charter took place on 15 October in Ramallah at the presence of the Head of the PBA, the Deputy Head of the EU representation office to the West Bank and Gaza and the Head of EUPOL COPPS. This is meant to be platform for connection, empowerment, and professional development for women in the legal field in Palestine. The launch event, attended by about 50 female lawyers from various districts in Palestine, will serve objectives including presenting the vision, the goals, and the activities of the network; expanding the network’s membership across different districts and fostering dialogue on the importance of female representation in legal profession through local and international perspectives. In her opening remarks, the Head of EUPOL COPPS, Karin Limdal, said the launch of the Network contributes to equal representation within the Palestinian Bar Association, strengthen the professional capacities and leadership of female lawyers and creates space for dialogue about challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. “The lack of female lawyers is not just a gap, it is a missed opportunity for the profession, for justice and for society”, she added. Besides being a step towards a more inclusive and representative legal profession in Palestine, the platform is a testament to the joint commitment of EUPOL COPPS and the PBA to support gender equality within the justice sector in Palestine.
Palestinian Police and EUPOL COPPS launch strategic workshop to strengthen future cooperation
Taking another step forward in strengthening their cooperation, the Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) and EUPOL COPPS have launched a two-day Strategic Workshop under the theme of "Building Together the Future of PCP” on 13-14 October in Ramallah. The workshop brought together senior PCP representatives and EUPOL COPPS advisers to review past accomplishments and chart a pragmatic way forward for institutional development, training, and strategic implementation. The workshop responds to PCP's recent establishment of new committees for Projects, Training, and Institutional Development, and their request for closer cooperation with EUPOL COPPS. The initiative is designed to move beyond bilateral discussions, creating a shared platform to align priorities, discuss challenges, and translate strategies into operational results. They encompass the Assistant Commissioner for Planning and Training, heads of key departments, district commanders, and advisers across EUPOL COPPS's fields of mandate — including community policing, criminal investigations, and accountability. The event, across two days, focuses on reviewing joint successes, learning about the new PCP Strategic Plan, and crafting a realistic, actionable roadmap for the future years. An optional follow-up day will focus on district level implementation so that strategies at the national level are translated into local action. The expected outcomes are a shared operational roadmap, stronger coordination mechanisms, and restored institutional confidence. The workshop also forms part of the EU's broader support for strong and accountable Palestinian institutions. In working together on both strategy and implementation, the partners reaffirm their determination to improve security, stability, and the rule of law in Palestine.
Forward looking approach on training for Palestinian Family Juvenile Protection Police officers
Building internal training capacity within an organisation or community makes sense. This is why Palestinian Civil Police (PCP)’s Family Juvenile Protection Department (FJPD) choose to continue training on these methodologies with EUPOL COPPS. For the purpose, the Mission organised a Train the Trainer (or Train of Trainers, ToT) course in Ramallah, on 22-24 September. The core idea is to equip selected future trainers at FJPD, especially subject matter experts or experienced professionals, with the skills, tools, and methodologies needed to effectively train others. Topics of the course included general knowledge of different training and learning technics i.e., what is the role of the trainer, the required skills needed and how to design the presentations, focusing on designing and delivering training experiences. The course comprised practical and engaging assignments of the main mentioned topics. The participants indicated appreciation for an activity aimed at builds FJPD internal expertise and leadership, reducing dependency on external trainers and ensuring consistent delivery of key messages or procedures. The three-day workshop was conducted by EUPOL COPPS advisers Anna Sanden, Marie, Hummer, John Jorgensen (Sweden), Alicia Vicente Desposito (Spain) and Anu Aro (Finland). All agree that promoting a culture of continuous learning, including on ToT is always key, in Europe as in Palestine.
One of Us
Roberto Arcieri – Head of Operations
In his early teens EUPOL COPPS Head of Operations, Roberto Arcieri, already envisaged he would wear a uniform as a grown-up. Being born in 1973 and raised in the ancient Grumo Appula, founded in Roman times and part of the Alta Murgia National Park in Southeastern Italy, Roberto grew up observing at close range the difference between good and bad, which translates into the State and its enemies. The organised crimes generally known as the mafia, was at the time active primarily in the South of the Italian peninsula, yet, moving its tentacles within transnational business and corruption. Exemplary Italian institutional figures like anti-mafia judges Rocco Chinnici, Giovanni Falcone, Paolo Borsellino, and Carabinieri officers like General Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa, Lt. Col. Russo, Cap. Basile paid with their lives their long-lasting fight on organised crime. They all died in the line of duty to defend the principles of legality, justice, freedom, equality, and dignity, by opposing the criminal power that threatens democracy. The ultimate sacrifice of some fellow Italians has been the game changer for Roberto, who picked the right side of the law joining the Italian Carabinieri (one of Italy’s primary law enforcement agencies, distinguished by their military status and broad range of responsibilities both domestically and internationally) at the age of 19. Being a Carabiniere has meant Roberto to be constantly on the move, either in his country, or abroad. “I was never in the same place for more than four years” says Roberto, who nevertheless managed to raise two children, now young adults, together with his wife. Roberto, who has the rank of Colonel, joined EUPOL COPPS last year, but he was not new to Palestine, as he was already here working for Carabinieri MIADIT (Missione Addestrativa Italiana) Mission in the framework on the US State Security Coordination (now Office of the Security Coordinator - OSC) coalition. Prior to that he has worked in various capacities, in different Italian regions fighting common and organized crimes, in international engagements in Bosnia Herzegovina, Eritrea, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Mali and also in Brussels, Belgium, focusing on African issues. As a EUPOL COPPS Head of Operations, leading colleagues working to support Palestinian justice and civilian security sectors, Roberto feels the experience changes him every day. The keyword in the Palestinian context is “flexibility” says Roberto, who strives to find solutions to the continuous challenges faced by the Palestinian counterparts the Mission is mandated to support, and for EUPOL COPPS itself. An approach certainly appropriate given the uncertainty facing Palestine and the wider region at this very moment.
Khadija Aldeek
When EUPOL COPPS Financial Verification Officer, Khadija Aldeek from Palestine, sits down at her desk, she does not just see numbers on spreadsheets or invoices; she sees the foundation of trust that holds the entire mission together. At EUPOL COPPS, the Birzeit University accounting graduate reviews transactions to ensure they are in line with EU rules, related internal policy and international best practices. Having worked with international organisations and with major Palestinian companies, she brings international know-how together with local knowledge to her job. For Khadija financial verification is not a box-ticking exercise, but a necessary step towards accountability and transparency. She sees it not just as a rule to be followed, but as a safeguard—a way of making sure every euro is spent as it ought, of building trust, and of keeping the Mission's financial systems secure. In the seven months she's been working at EUPOL COPPS, she has made a real impact. Her influence extends beyond paperwork. She is a valued mentor to colleagues across departments, helping to clarify on procedures and best practices. "I don't merely point out mistakes, I also show how to prevent them," she says. "My goal is to enable others to do better when following EU financial rules." Her no-nonsense, calm approach has also made her a source of contact for employees who are struggling with money matters. She's made many see this work differently, transforming it from a chore into a chance for development and learning. "Done correctly, financial verification protects the entire organisation. It's not just about finding mistakes—it's a matter of trust-establishment, system-strengthening, and knowing that every decision is being made on the foundation of accurate, verified information," she says. With her integrity, professionalism, and enthusiasm, Khadija Aldeek isn't just implementing financial regulations—sews a culture of accountability and trust, one transaction at a time, says Khadija, a dedicated mother of three, balancing family and career with discipline and focus.
Maria Ek Odsjo
Our deputy Head of Justice Unit, Maria Ek Odsjo, is a senior judge in her mid-50s. In Sweden, where she comes from, she has for the last years extensively been working on asylum and security related cases, including dealing with individuals arriving from then ISIS ruled Syria and Iraq. The cases she was presented with, reached Maria through the criminal justice chain, having been dealt with by the Swedish police before arriving on her desk.. Her latest role in the Swedish justice system was to lead and manage the work of around 45 legal professionals. Each of them had cases to solve. Maria had the overall oversight and also, depending on the situation, the responsibility to approve asylum, . This has exposed Maria with a wide range of people coming from parts of the world she had never travelled to. In other words, she had the opportunity to get to know different cultures through human and professional interaction doing her job in Stockholm. Asked when and how the decision to be a judge appeared on her life horizon, Maria answers that this happened during her time as a young law clerk in a small town in her homeland. Having always been interested in society and political science, Maria initially chose law for her university studies with the initial attitude of “giving it a try”. She explains that she “very much liked both criminal and civilian proceedings, as well as social law”. Much later, as an experienced professional, Maria represented Sweden in Brussels, working at the Swedish Permanent EU Representation with law drafting. The choice to join EUPOL COPPS and come to Palestine is partly linked to her experience in dealing with many cases involving people from the Middle East.. “I wanted to experience the culture firsthand, meet the people, to see for myself what it looks like, to experience what it means to walk through Damascus Gate in the daylight and at night. Now that I can do it, I know what an amazing feeling it is to pass by this special place. This means something special to me and has taught me something essential about different life conditions. When Maria first joined the Mission, she was a Senior Justice Advisor advising her Palestinian colleagues on court proceeding related matters. She had the possibility to learn from her Palestinian colleagues and share her own experiences from her own professional career. Working in an international environment such as an EU Mission is also somehow life changing, indicates Maria. “In my current role, I strive to support my colleagues in solving challenges and problems, when these occur. With the counterparts I now see my role as a way of giving my contribution to advancing Rule of Law in Palestine”. Among the milestones carrying a personal touch during her career as a judge, Maria recalls the time she had a case of a Palestinian family coming from Iraq exposed to a very difficult situation where she contributed to them being granted asylum on the basis of the need for education of their young children aged 10 and 12. As every new experience in life produces a change in each of us, working in Palestine has made Maria, as she explains, a bit humbler as an individual, more understanding of difficult situations, having had the chance to see these firsthand. The realisation of having an EU-passport appearing “privileged” compared to others, for example Palestinians (many can’t even have one), is also a humbling experience, says Maria, who has observed what happens at border crossing points like the Allenby Bridge (border between Israel and Jordan, editor’s note), seeing the difference of procedures occurring according to the kind of documentation provided. “I now understand a lot more things about the people from the Middle East I met in my country” says Maria. When thinking about the time when she will be returning to Sweden, Maria believes her experience in Palestine will make her a better judge. Although, she said, I think I would prefer to have further experiences in CSDP Missions after Palestine before returning to be a judge in my country. She has pinned Ukraine on the map, where a sister EU Civilian CSDP is deployed, however that will have to wait as there still so much to do here to support Palestine.
“I want to be one of them”, said 4-year-old Anu pointing at a police car
Looking out of the window at her grandparents’ house in the town of Pori, Finland, Anu Aro, asked her grandma what that was pointing the finger at a police car. “I want to be one of them”, said the then 4 years old Anu. It was the winter of 1974. By the age of 23, after having spent a sabbatical in Cyprus (1989-1990) working as au pair, Anu joined the Finnish Police, getting first a Diploma in Police Studies, then a Bachelor in Police Command Examination, and a master’s degree in Social science studies from Universities in Finland. Whilst working and studying, Anu had 3 daughters, now age 30, 28 and 22. At present, while deployed as a Finnish secondee at EUPOL COPPS as Senior Police Advisor in Training, Anu is about to finish another master’s degree in security and risk management criminology at the University of Leicester, in the UK. EUPOL COPPS is not the first international mission for Anu, as she consecutively worked in international missions as of 2104. She served in Afghanistan (EU and GIZ/German cooperation), Liberia (United Nations) and Somalia (EUCAP Somalia). Asked “why” EUPOL COPPS at this stage of her personal and professional path, Anu recalls that this very Mission was the first she ever applied for in 2012. “I was the second-best candidate” says Anu, explaining that she opted for Afghanistan, to later discovered later that the selected competitor for Palestine did not go in the end. Therefore, when recently a possibility materialised to join EUPOL COPPS it felt for Anu like closing a circle, so she applied for the position she now covers, explains Anu. Another reason for joining EUPOL COPPS, continues Anu, is the fact that she is “a person constantly working on self-development and self-education, passionate about history”, always eager to see with her own eyes about the situation on the ground in Palestine, which she read about for long time. When discussing about the challenges that a woman, a mother, can face about the choice of joining a Mission, Anu says: ‘When I went to my first Mission my youngest daughter was 12. It was possible for me to go to know everything was fine at home, as I had a good agreement with her father. Anu reveals that at time she felt criticized by some of her male colleagues in the Finnish police for her choice to go leave her children to go to Missions . “The advice I would give to women willing to be deployed in Missions is to ignore other people’s opinion. Of course you change your life, so you might lose some friends because there is less time to spend together”. Anu underlines the importance of the quality of time she had and has with her daughters when serving in Missions, like going on holiday together. She also recalls hard moments as several times she fond herself under attack in Afghanistan, having to spend up to 16 hours in a bunker, with all the consequential difficulties in communication with her family. “I always called my daughters from the bunker where I sheltered with my colleagues to reassure them. I have always tried to inform them about everything because things go so fast to the news nowadays and I want them to get the first information from me instead of reading it from the internet”. Talking about her daily work at EUPOL COPPS Anu explains that she finds out about what kind of trainings are needed by the Palestinian Civil Police, focusing also on Gender mainstreaming. She tries and find out for example why women do not attend certain training activities and what should be done about it. “Nowadays Palestinians are willing to send their daughters to train as police officers, also as a source of income for the family, but at the same time there are worried about their safety”. Anu recognises that her long-term experience in many crisis areas makes her “a very different person than before”. “I see the difference between me and people that have had similar life and professional experiences and the ones back home that have not” says Anu. “For example, at home people debate about politically correct wording of things, or topics that looked at from other parts of the world frankly look irrelevant”. The woman who aged 4 knew she would wear a police uniform, concludes: “my observation is that in wealthy countries people easily see small things as a problem, unlike in places where people have worries about bringing food on the table and have to walk long hours for water or to reach the workplace”.]
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