Jurists for Palestine Forum Launches Season Three

The Jurists for Palestine Forum (JFPF) announces the launch of its third season, reaffirming its commitment to advancing legal advocacy for Palestine. This season’s monthly webinars, launched in collaboration with The Independent Commission for Human Rights, promise to address pressing issues of international law in response to the ongoing atrocities and the continuation of the 76-year-long Nakba. With grave violations of international law persisting, the urgency for accountability and global action has never been greater.

About Jurists for Palestine Forum The Jurists for Palestine Forum is the flagship discourse-oriented programme of Law for Palestine (L4P), dedicated to advancing the legal discourse on Palestine-Israel and international law. As a unique platform, it connects over 1,450 jurists, lawyers, and policymakers worldwide, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing to strengthen rights-based approaches and progressive legal visions.

Through monthly panel discussions -held online or occasionally in hybrid formats- the Forum convenes diverse perspectives and expertise, drawing hundreds of participants globally. To further enhance accessibility and impact, preparatory materials, full transcripts, and summaries are published in both Arabic and English. The Forum also focuses on capacity-building for legal professionals, identifying gaps in legal work, and strategising actionable solutions to bridge them. By connecting members and categorising capacities, the Jurists for Palestine Forum creates a coordinated space for dialogue and action, amplifying legal discourse and promoting justice for Palestine.

Season Three Themes In the context of the continuing devastation in Gaza and the intensification of legal and humanitarian challenges, Season Three will focus on three pivotal themes:

1. International Law in the Wake of the Genocidal Assault on Gaza: This theme will critically examine the severe violations of international law resulting from ongoing agression in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Topics will include the targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure, and the distortion of legal norms. Discussions will assess the limitations of current frameworks and highlight alternative perspectives, including insights from the Global South and Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL), to explore pathways towards equitable and effective legal standards.

2. The ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on the Illegality of the Occupation: Amid growing global scrutiny of Israel’s prolonged occupation and apartheid, this theme will focus on the implications of the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on the matter. Experts will analyse its findings, explore mechanisms for implementation, and assess how it can galvanise international law to address prolonged occupation, apartheid, and settler colonialism. The discussions will also address how the advisory opinion can expand the role of states and other actors in ending the occupation.

3. Accountability and State Responsibility: Ensuring accountability is central to addressing serious breaches of international law. This theme will explore states’ obligations to cooperate with international accountability mechanisms, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC), while also considering the responsibilities of non-state actors and international institutions. Key topics will also include the universal jurisdiction, corporate accountability, and the role of national jurisdictions in prosecuting international crimes. Particular focus will be placed on the ICJ South Africa vs. Israel case, examining the responsibilities of states in preventing genocide and upholding the global obligation to prevent atrocities.

A Platform for Change This year, the Forum aims to deepen understanding of international legal frameworks and their potential to drive meaningful change. Stay tuned for updates on the schedule and speaker announcements. Together, let us continue building a community of jurists dedicated to justice and the protection of human rights.

We are back – and this season promises to make a difference.