How and why international law has been limited in Palestine
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Thomas Loikith
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 9:00 AM
End Date
25-4-2025 9:59 AM
Description
In July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an Advisory Opinion finding that Israel's presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) violates international law. In December 2024, the United Nations addressed Israel’s occupation of the oPt, highlighting crimes against humanity and war crimes. These are some actions taken by the international community in response to Israel’s occupation of the oPt. Why, despite such findings, has Israel been able to violate international law with impunity? What can be done to address Israel’s violation of international law in its occupation of the oPt? What can be done to repair damage to the international legal system resulting from countries rejecting to act on the findings by international bodies? This is a complex problem requiring interdisciplinary research. I used qualitative research methodology (textual analysis) to analyze relevant sources from the disciplines of law and racial studies to identify conflicting insights. I then found common ground between those insights, and by integrating them, I arrived at a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. That enables me to suggest solutions to the problem. My research is not yet complete. However, I conclude that in order to strengthen international law and bring justice to the Palestinian people, efforts must be made to compel countries to support determinations of the ICJ and other international bodies regarding Israel’s conduct in the oPt. Efforts must also be made to address anti-Palestinian racism which contributes to the failure of some nations to support compelling Israel to follow international law.
How and why international law has been limited in Palestine
In July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an Advisory Opinion finding that Israel's presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) violates international law. In December 2024, the United Nations addressed Israel’s occupation of the oPt, highlighting crimes against humanity and war crimes. These are some actions taken by the international community in response to Israel’s occupation of the oPt. Why, despite such findings, has Israel been able to violate international law with impunity? What can be done to address Israel’s violation of international law in its occupation of the oPt? What can be done to repair damage to the international legal system resulting from countries rejecting to act on the findings by international bodies? This is a complex problem requiring interdisciplinary research. I used qualitative research methodology (textual analysis) to analyze relevant sources from the disciplines of law and racial studies to identify conflicting insights. I then found common ground between those insights, and by integrating them, I arrived at a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. That enables me to suggest solutions to the problem. My research is not yet complete. However, I conclude that in order to strengthen international law and bring justice to the Palestinian people, efforts must be made to compel countries to support determinations of the ICJ and other international bodies regarding Israel’s conduct in the oPt. Efforts must also be made to address anti-Palestinian racism which contributes to the failure of some nations to support compelling Israel to follow international law.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.