The Arab-Israeli Conflict(s): A Public International Law Perspective

The Israeli-Arab conflicts can be examined from numerous perspectives, including historical, religious, economic, and international relations. The proposed course is designed to tackle these conflicts from another perspective, namely that of Public International Law. Under this framework, we will examine central themes pertaining to the conflicts, such as self-determination, statehood, territorial disputes and recognised borders under international law (including Jerusalem), refugees, right of return, laws of war, laws of belligerent occupation, international criminal law, trade relations, laws of the sea, and dispute resolution. Special focus would be devoted to the need to adjust international law to the modern, vertical-asymmetric battlefield, to the interface between Law and Politics, and to the special role played by the Israeli Supreme Court in these conflicts.