Society of Saint Yves

Striving for a social order that values the dignity of all people in the Holy Land

Networks We are Part of

The Legal Task Force

The Coordinating Catholic Aid Organizations in the Holy Land

Justice and Peace Commission

Displacement Work Group

Jerusalem Coalition

Jerusalem House Demolition Learning Alliance

Land Committee

The Coalition for Jerusalem

Standing up for Human Rights

since 1991

The Society of St. Yves (SY) is a Catholic human rights organization working under the patronage of the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem.

It was founded in 1991 by the former Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Holy Land to help “the poor and the oppressed” according to the social doctrine of the Catholic Church.

Society of Saint Yves provides attentive’ services to the community – irrespective of religion, race, gender, or color. Services are provided at SY premises in East Jerusalem and the city of Bethlehem, and they include pro-bono legal assistance, legal and paralegal counseling services and advocacy for justice and human rights on behalf of all Palestinians living under occupation.

Today the Society of Saint Yves manages annually approximately 14,430 legal files and legal consultations of Palestinians seeking various rights in the West Bank including East Jerusalem.

St. Yves provides gratis legal assistance, counsel, and advocacy to members of the community.

Vision

Human Rights applied to all people in the Holy Land

Mission

To provide legal aid to the needy, oppressed, and marginalized and try to raise awareness of human and civil rights in society. The Society of St. Yves believes that every human being is created in the image of God and that the dignity and rights of everybody are God-given.

Values

Our main value is Human Dignity. St. Yves provides attentive services to the community – irrespective of religion, race, gender, or color. According to our motto, “I am my brother’s keeper” the Society of St. Yves aims to provide professional, honest, and transparent service to create trust between St. Yves and the community by acting as a free legal service provider.

St. Yves provides gratis legal assistance, counsel, and advocacy to members of the community.

Vision

Human Rights, applied to all people in the Holy Land.

Mission

Values

Our Strong faith is that human dignity is a value irrespective of religion, race, gender, or color.

Palestinians have human and civil rights, which must be protected. (If rights are respected then people are protected)

Recognizing that all human beings have the same value.

We uphold accountability and justice, ensuring every action meets the highest standards of integrity & fairness.

our motto

I am my brother's keeper

Our motto is related to the old testament’s story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4). After Cain had killed Abel, God asks Cain “Where is Abel, your brother?”, and Cain answers, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen 4.9). In place of Cain we answer, yes, we are our brother’s keeper, irrespective of race, color, gender, or religion.