Conference: Rule of Law - Route to a better future for Palestinians and Israelis

The Britain Palestine Project (formerly the Balfour Project) and King's College London will host a conference on 'The Rule of Law - the route to a better future for Palestinians and Israelis' on Thursday, 8 May, at King's College, Strand Campus. The event will also be online.

This half-day conference is dedicated to reaffirming that international law remains the most viable path to a just and lasting peace.

At a time when the global legal order is in crisis, undermined by the impunity of actors like Russia and Israel, and the erosion of norms by powerful states including the United States, this event focuses on the United Kingdom's historical and present-day responsibilities.

As the former Mandatory power in Palestine and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UK bears a particular duty to uphold and defend international law.

The conference is anchored in the principle that Britain must champion the rule of law whether others emulate us or not. It will explore what this commitment demands from UK civil society, Parliament, and government policy.

Bringing together leading jurists, scholars, diplomats, and humanitarian practitioners, the programme will examine how legal frameworks can inform UK policy on peace and accountability. Key topics include the July 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of occupation, ongoing investigations by the International Criminal Court, and the systemic barriers Palestinians face in accessing justice in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem and as citizens of Israel.Through keynote dialogues and panel discussions, participants will assess the implications of international law for UK domestic policy, the role and resilience of institutions such as UNRWA under political pressure, and broader efforts to protect legal norms in an era of impunity.

At its core, the conference asks: How can we reshape the international order so that legal norms effectively protect human rights, ensure accountability for war crimes, and help build a just future for both Palestinians and Israelis? It will also outline practical steps the UK can take-from fulfilling its legal obligations to setting a principled international example.

Conference will be chaired by Professor Adam Sutcliffe (King's College London)

Speakers will include: Andrew Whitley - Chair of Trustees, Britain Palestine Project; HE Dr Husam Zomlot - Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK (Ambassador of Palestine); Baroness Brenda Hale (Former President of the UK Supreme Court); Baroness Helena Kennedy KC (Human rights lawyer and Member of the House of Lords); Michael Sfard - Israeli human rights lawyer (joining remotely); Dr Dalal Iriqat, Associate Professor of Diplomacy and Strategic Thinking, Arab American University (Ramallah) Raji Sourani.

Dr. Dalal Iriqat; Raji Sourani; Dr Zahira Jaser (University of Sussex); Dr Victor Kattan (University of Nottingham) will take part in a panel discussion, chaired by Dr Brian Brivati - Executive Director, Britain Palestine Project.

The conference will conclude with a forward-looking panel asking: How can the UK promote the rule of law and a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis? Panellists will offer actionable recommendations aligned with the post-conference Action Plan. Dr Zahira Jaser and Dr Victor Kattan will examine how UK public opinion, legal obligations, and parliamentary debate can support measures such as recognising Palestinian statehood, enforcing arms controls, banning settlement trade, and reviewing UK-Israel agreements.

Mr Raji Sourani and Dr Dalal Iriqat will highlight priorities from the Palestinian perspective-support for international legal mechanisms, protection of civilians, and alignment with UN resolutions. Together, the panel will underscore the UK's responsibility and capacity to advance justice, accountability, and the rule of law.

The event will conclude with a reception.

For more information and booking see: www.BritainPalestineProject.org/conference2025