A/HRC/10/8/Add.2 page 23 83. Concerning the Government of Israel’s reservations on the appointment of female judges of religious courts and concerning religious laws on personal status matters, the Special Rapporteur would like to reiterate the recommendation by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, which urged the State of Israel to consider withdrawing its reservations to articles 7 (b) and 16 because these were contrary to the object and purpose of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. 84. Both in the State of Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, any advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence should be effectively investigated, prosecuted and punished. Similarly, any related violent acts should be investigated in a prompt, transparent and independent manner, the perpetrators should be prosecuted and sentenced, and avenues for redress and protection should be offered to the victims. 85. In terms of prevention activities, the Special Rapporteur encourages the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to promote the principles, objectives and recommendations of the Madrid Final Document. One possible example could be support for, and funding of, voluntary school exchange programmes between pupils and teachers from Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In addition, concrete initiatives of inter-religious and intra-religious dialogue, especially at the grass-roots level, should be fostered and encouraged in order to bridge the divides along religious lines. -----