Has Britain's change of leadership created a genuine opportunity for a new approach to Palestine, or will little change in practice?

Britain Palestine Project trustees Sir Vincent Fean and Andrew Whitley assess the implications of the new Labour government under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, examining whether recent statements on Gaza and international law will be matched by meaningful action.

The discussion explores practical policy options available to the UK, from sanctions on illegal settlements and financial services to enforcing the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on the occupation of the Palestinian territories. Vincent and Andrew also consider the political pressures facing the new government, the role of public opinion, and why Britain has both a historic responsibility and an opportunity to provide international leadership.

They also discuss:

• The UK's recognition of the State of Palestine and what should happen next.

• Why international law must be followed by practical consequences.

• Trade with Israeli settlements and proposed sanctions.

• The significance of the proposed E1 settlement expansion.

• Humanitarian access to Gaza and the role of UNRWA.

• Whether Britain should continue to follow Washington's lead—or build a coalition with like-minded countries.

• The importance of Palestinian political unity and forthcoming elections.

• How upcoming elections in Israel, Palestine and the United States could reshape the political landscape.

Despite the gravity of the current situation, Vincent and Andrew end by identifying areas where sustained public pressure, principled diplomacy and international cooperation could still bring meaningful change.

Sir Vincent Fean served in the British Diplomatic Service for more than 35 years, including as British Consul-General in Jerusalem (2010–2014). He is a trustee of the Britain Palestine Project and author of A Misunderstood Friendship: Britain and Israel, 1948–2020.

Andrew Whitley is a former senior United Nations official with extensive experience across the Middle East, including senior roles with UNRWA and the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. He is a trustee of the Britain Palestine Project.

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Guests

What does life under occupation look like - not through headlines, but through the eyes of those who have lived alongside Palestinian communities?

We speak with Tim Livesey and Julia Race, recently returned Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAPPI), who spent months living and working in the occupied West Bank. Drawing on firsthand experience from the Jordan Valley and Bethlehem, they share eyewitness testimony of daily life under military occupation and the human stories behind the headlines.

Together, they explore how settlement expansion, movement restrictions, demolitions, settler violence and the erosion of Palestinian communities fit into broader political and legal developments, including the International Court of Justice's 2024 advisory opinion declaring Israel's occupation unlawful. They also highlight the work of Israeli and Palestinian human rights organisations, the principle of sumud (steadfastness), and practical ways people in the UK can take informed action.

Guests

Tim Livesey first visited Palestine in 1987, six weeks before the outbreak of the first intifada, and has been a frequent visitor since then. He returned from a three-month spell as an Ecumenical Accompanier on the West Bank last November. He has been a UK diplomat, senior adviser to the Archbishops of Canterbury and Westminster, Chief of Staff to Ed Miliband as Leader of the Opposition, and Chief Executive of the development charity Embrace the Middle East.

Julia Race studied languages and has spent most of her career working for the British Council including postings to Cairo, Cape Town, Rome and Brussels. She now advises organisations from around the world on external relations, governance and fundraising. She first visited Israel and Palestine in 2007 and has just returned from three months as an Ecumenical Accompanier (or human rights monitor) based in Bethlehem.

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What happens when a healthcare system is systematically dismantled during war?

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the Britain Palestine Project Podcast, Professor Nick Maynard—consultant surgeon, humanitarian, and Chair of Medical Aid for Palestinians—shares his eyewitness testimony from multiple medical missions inside Gaza since October 2023.

Drawing on over sixteen years of experience working in Palestinian hospitals, Professor Maynard describes the realities facing doctors, nurses and patients as hospitals are overwhelmed, medical supplies run out, healthcare workers are killed or detained, and civilians struggle to survive amid mass displacement and hunger.

This conversation examines the collapse of Gaza's healthcare system through the eyes of a surgeon who has treated the wounded firsthand. Professor Maynard discusses the challenges of operating without basic equipment, the impact of malnutrition on patients, attacks on hospitals and medical personnel, and the urgent humanitarian crisis facing Gaza today.

Hosted by Diana Safieh, the discussion also explores what governments, healthcare professionals and ordinary citizens can do in response.

Topics covered include:

• Professor Maynard's medical missions to Gaza

• The collapse of Gaza's healthcare system

• Conditions inside emergency departments and operating theatres

• The impact of attacks on hospitals and medical staff

• Child casualties and trauma care

• Malnutrition and the humanitarian crisis

• Medical evacuations and barriers to treatment

• International humanitarian law and accountability

• The role of the UK government and international community

• How individuals can support humanitarian efforts

Whether you are interested in healthcare, international law, humanitarian aid or the ongoing situation in Palestine, this episode offers a rare first-hand medical perspective from one of the UK's most experienced surgeons working in Gaza.

Professor Nick Maynard is a Consultant Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Oxford. He has worked extensively in Gaza since 2008, training Palestinian surgeons and supporting the development of surgical services. He is Chair of the Board of Trustees of Medical Aid for Palestinians and was awarded the UK Humanitarian Medal in recognition of his medical work in Gaza.

Subscribe for conversations with leading historians, diplomats, academics, journalists, humanitarian workers and policymakers exploring Palestine, Britain and the wider Middle East.

In the closing session of the conference, Britain Palestine Project Executive Director Dr Brian Brivati reflected on the discussions of the day and outlined the practical policy agenda emerging from the conference and the newly launched Statement of Principles.

Rather than attempting to summarise every contribution, Dr Brivati focused on a central question that had run throughout the conference: how can sufficient political pressure be generated to change the realities on the ground and encourage meaningful action from governments?

He argued that the coming months present a significant political opportunity. With the prospect of political change in both Israel and the United Kingdom, and increasing public concern over the situation in Palestine and Israel, there is a rare moment in which policymakers may be more receptive to public pressure and advocacy.

Drawing on themes raised throughout the day, Brivati highlighted a number of practical policy measures that Britain Palestine Project intends to advocate for, including action on trade with illegal settlements, opposition to settlement expansion in the E1 corridor, publication and implementation of legal advice relating to the International Court of Justice advisory opinion, and stronger action regarding arms exports and international legal obligations.

He stressed that while individual measures taken by the United Kingdom are important, meaningful change will ultimately require coordinated action with international partners. Britain’s influence is greatest when exercised alongside allies, particularly within Europe and through international institutions such as the United Nations.

Brivati also pointed to the approaching review of the UN-mandated arrangements governing Gaza's future and argued that civil society organisations, campaigners and citizens have an important role to play in shaping the debate around what comes next.

A key message of the session was that political engagement matters. Delegates were encouraged to continue writing to MPs, engaging with elected representatives, organising public meetings, and keeping issues of justice, accountability and international law firmly on the political agenda. Brivati argued that in a fragmented and competitive political environment, elected representatives are listening more closely than they often do, creating opportunities for citizens to influence policy.

The session concluded with thanks to the speakers, delegates, volunteers and staff who had contributed to the conference, and a commitment from the Britain Palestine Project to continue developing and advocating a practical policy platform rooted in its Statement of Principles and informed by the expertise shared throughout the day.

Featuring: Daniel Levy, Dr Julie Norman, Nomi Bar-Yaacov, Shawan Jabarin, followed by Q&A.

As the conference drew towards its conclusion, this panel tackled one of the most pressing questions of the day: what practical action can be taken internationally to advance Palestinian rights, uphold international law and create meaningful political change?

Chaired by Sir Vincent Fean, the discussion brought together Daniel Levy, Dr Julie Norman, Nomi Bar-Yaacov and Shawan Jabarin to explore the shifting global political landscape, the role of governments and civil society, and how pressure can be translated into action.

Dr Julie Norman argued that despair and inaction are not options. While acknowledging the scale of suffering in Gaza and the West Bank, she highlighted practical policy measures including recognition of the State of Palestine, banning settlement goods, supporting Palestinian businesses, and ensuring that any future reconstruction of Gaza prioritises Palestinian agency and dignity. She also reflected on the Britain Palestine Project’s Statement of Principles, emphasising the importance of maintaining a broad coalition while continuing difficult conversations about how principles become policy.

Shawan Jabarin offered a stark assessment of international efforts to date. Drawing on his experience as Director General of Al-Haq, he warned that many reconstruction proposals risk entrenching Israeli control rather than advancing Palestinian self-determination. He argued that Palestinians have been systematically excluded from decisions about their own future and stressed the need to challenge policies that seek to normalise occupation, displacement and inequality.

Daniel Levy focused on the political realities of building influence and power. He argued that international law alone will not change outcomes unless governments are willing to create consequences for violations. Levy explored the growing global movement around Palestine, the shifting geopolitical landscape and the importance of creating political pressure that changes Israeli calculations. He also examined changing attitudes within Jewish communities worldwide and challenged assumptions about the future of Zionism, accountability and coexistence.

Nomi Bar-Yaacov highlighted the urgency of implementing the International Court of Justice advisory opinion and ending the occupation in practice rather than merely in rhetoric. She outlined concrete measures governments could take, including restrictions on settlement activity, support for accountability mechanisms, action on Palestinian prisoners, and stronger coordination among European states. Bar-Yaacov also stressed the importance of maintaining hope through dialogue, cooperation and future political solutions grounded in justice and equality.

The panel concluded with a lively audience discussion covering Palestinian political leadership, the imprisonment of Marwan Barghouti, the role of Hamas, changing attitudes among younger Jewish communities, international sanctions, and whether emerging global alliances may offer new opportunities to uphold international law.

Throughout the discussion, speakers returned to a common theme: meaningful change will require more than statements of concern. It will require sustained political pressure, international accountability, grassroots mobilisation and a commitment to ensuring that Palestinian rights remain central to any future political settlement.

Speakers:

• Daniel Levy, President, US/Middle East Project

• Dr Julie Norman, Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations, UCL

• Nomi Bar-Yaacov, International Negotiator and Mediator

• Shawan Jabarin, Director General, Al-Haq

Chair:

• Sir Vincent Fean KCVO, Trustee, Britain Palestine Project

Featuring: Chris Doyle, Shawan Jabarin, Dame Emily Thornberry MP, Debbie Abrahams MP and Paul Gerrard,  Chair: Sir Vincent Fean

In this wide-ranging panel discussion, leading politicians, campaigners, human rights advocates and policy experts examine the question at the heart of the conference: now that the UK has recognised the State of Palestine, what practical steps should come next?

The panel explores how recognition can be translated into meaningful political, economic and legal action, discussing sanctions, trade, settlements, accountability, international law and the role of civil society in shaping government policy.

Topics discussed include:

• The implications of UK recognition of the State of Palestine and whether recognition should be viewed as a starting point rather than an endpoint.

• Britain's historic and contemporary responsibilities regarding Palestine.

• The UK's military, diplomatic and economic relationship with Israel.

• Calls for sanctions, arms embargoes and restrictions on trade connected to settlements.

• The International Court of Justice advisory opinion and the UK's response to its findings.

• The legality of Israeli settlements and possible measures available to governments and businesses.

• The proposed E1 settlement expansion and its implications for the viability of a future Palestinian state.

• The role of British businesses, investors and consumers in relation to settlements and occupation.

• The economic challenges facing Palestinian producers and exporters.

• The role of Parliament, political parties and public campaigning in shaping UK policy.

• Civil society action, grassroots organising and public pressure as drivers of political change.

• Questions of accountability, international law and enforcement mechanisms.

Recorded at the Britain Palestine Project annual conference, Recognition is the Beginning, held at the Greenwood Theatre, London, on 2 June 2026.

Chris Doyle is Director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu), one of the UK's leading organisations promoting informed debate and policy engagement on the Middle East. He is a frequent commentator on Middle Eastern affairs and has worked for decades on issues relating to Palestine, Israel, human rights and British foreign policy.

Shawan Jabarin is General Director of Al-Haq, the leading Palestinian human rights organisation. A prominent lawyer and human rights advocate, he has spent decades documenting violations of international law and advancing accountability through international legal mechanisms.

Dame Emily Thornberry is Chair of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee and Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury. She has played a leading role in parliamentary scrutiny of UK foreign policy and has been an advocate for Palestinian statehood and international law.

Debbie Abrahams is Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth and Co-Chair of the Britain-Palestine All-Party Parliamentary Group. She has been a longstanding advocate for human rights, international law and Palestinian self-determination.

Paul Gerrard is Director of Campaigns, Public Affairs and Board Secretariat at the Co-op Group. He has led the Co-op's work on ethical sourcing, human rights and responsible business practices, including initiatives supporting Palestinian producers and addressing trade linked to settlements.

Sir Vincent Fean is a former British diplomat and Trustee of the Britain Palestine Project. He served as British Consul-General in Jerusalem and has written extensively on British policy towards Palestine and Israel, diplomacy and international law.

Human rights lawyer Jessica Stober examines the legal consequences of recognising the State of Palestine and explores what international law requires of governments, businesses and institutions in response to the ongoing occupation.

Drawing on her experience working in the occupied Palestinian territory and her involvement in legal advocacy and litigation, Stober argues that recognition must be accompanied by practical measures affecting trade, arms licensing, sanctions and relations with Israeli settlements.

The session explores:

• Why recognition of Palestine must lead to concrete legal and policy consequences.

• The limitations of domestic legal remedies within the Israeli justice system.

• The growing role of international law, international courts and treaty mechanisms in addressing Palestinian rights.

• The significance of Palestine's accession to international treaties and institutions, including the International Criminal Court.

• The International Court of Justice's 2024 Advisory Opinion and its implications for third states.

• The legal responsibilities of states regarding settlements, occupation and self-determination.

• The UK's trade relationship with Israel and questions surrounding settlement goods and economic activity linked to occupied territory.

• The impact of settlements on Palestinian communities, agriculture, natural resources and land use.

• Reports concerning conflict-related sexual violence and their implications for international legal obligations.

• Policy options available to governments, including sanctions, trade measures, arms licensing reviews and accountability mechanisms.

Stober argues that international law already provides a framework for responding to unlawful situations, but that implementation often depends on political will. She examines how legal obligations relating to occupation, settlements and self-determination could be translated into practical government policy.

The presentation also considers the role of civil society, public advocacy and strategic litigation in encouraging governments to comply with international legal obligations and uphold a rules-based international order.

Returning to the conference theme, Recognition is the Beginning, Stober argues that recognition should not be viewed as an endpoint, but as a foundation for policies that meaningfully affect trade, accountability, sanctions and the protection of Palestinian rights.

Recorded at the Britain Palestine Project annual conference, Recognition is the Beginning, held at the Greenwood Theatre, London, on 2 June 2026.

Jessica Stober is a human rights lawyer specialising in international law, forced displacement, accountability and Palestinian rights. She previously worked with the Norwegian Refugee Council in the occupied Palestinian territory, where she supported legal efforts to challenge displacement, demolitions and settlement expansion. Her work focuses on international humanitarian law, international criminal law and strategic litigation, and she is involved in legal initiatives examining state responsibilities, trade relationships and accountability for violations of international law.

Baroness Helena Kennedy KC examines the international legal principles that should govern armed conflict, the responsibilities of states under international law, and the challenges facing institutions tasked with enforcing accountability.

Drawing on her experience as a barrister, human rights advocate and member of an international panel reviewing evidence for the International Criminal Court, Kennedy reflects on the role of humanitarian law, international justice mechanisms and the obligations of governments in responding to alleged violations of international law.

The session explores:

• The foundations of international humanitarian law and the protections established by the Geneva Conventions.

• The responsibilities of states, including the United Kingdom, under international law.

• The protection of civilians, infrastructure and essential services during armed conflict.

• The role of the International Criminal Court and the legal standards applied when assessing evidence for international crimes.

• The distinction between the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.

• Questions of accountability, individual criminal responsibility and international justice.

• The importance of evidence gathering, documentation and independent journalism during conflicts.

• Emerging concerns regarding military technologies, surveillance systems and artificial intelligence in warfare.

• Allegations of abuses against detainees and the broader challenges of ensuring accountability for violations of international law.

• The role of the United Nations, international institutions and civil society in defending the rules-based international order.

Baroness Kennedy argues that the effectiveness of international law depends not only on the existence of legal frameworks, but also on the willingness of governments and institutions to uphold and enforce them consistently. She warns that failures to apply international legal standards risk undermining the broader rules-based order established after the Second World War.

Reflecting on current debates surrounding accountability, she discusses the importance of independent courts, international legal institutions and public scrutiny in ensuring that alleged violations are investigated and addressed.

The address concludes with a call for continued civic engagement, political pressure and support for international legal mechanisms, arguing that lasting justice depends upon active participation from governments, institutions and citizens alike.

Recorded at the Britain Palestine Project annual conference, Recognition is the Beginning, held at the Greenwood Theatre, London, on 2 June 2026.

Baroness Helena Kennedy KC is one of the United Kingdom's most distinguished barristers, broadcasters and human rights advocates. A member of the House of Lords and former Principal of Mansfield College, Oxford, she has spent decades working on issues relating to civil liberties, international justice, women's rights and the rule of law. She has served on numerous international legal commissions and inquiries and is widely recognised for her contributions to human rights, legal reform and international criminal justice.

Shawan Jabarin, General Director of Al-Haq, examines the legal responsibilities of states in relation to Palestine and explores what recognition of Palestinian statehood should mean in practice under international law.

Reflecting on both historical and contemporary legal obligations, Jabarin argues that recognition must be understood not as a symbolic gesture but as the beginning of meaningful action to uphold Palestinian self-determination, accountability and equal rights.

The session explores:

• The legal significance of recognising the State of Palestine.

• Britain's historical role in Palestine and the legal implications of that history.

• Palestinian self-determination as a fundamental right under international law.

• The obligations of states regarding occupation, settlements, annexation and discrimination.

• The responsibilities of governments, corporations, financial institutions and other actors operating in occupied territory.

• International legal frameworks relating to accountability, including the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice.

• The relationship between humanitarian assistance and legal responsibility.

• The role of civil society, lawyers, academics, journalists and campaigners in promoting compliance with international law.

• Questions of state responsibility, accountability and reparations.

• The broader significance of international law in addressing ongoing conflicts and protecting human rights.

Jabarin argues that international law provides a clear framework for addressing the denial of Palestinian rights, but that legal obligations often remain unfulfilled without political will and sustained public pressure. He emphasises the importance of accountability, equal application of legal principles and meaningful enforcement of international norms.

Throughout the presentation, he reflects on the relationship between law, justice and political action, arguing that recognition should serve as a foundation for concrete measures rather than an endpoint in itself.

The address concludes with a call for continued engagement from civil society, legal institutions and governments to ensure that international legal standards are applied consistently and that Palestinian rights are protected.

Recorded at the Britain Palestine Project annual conference, Recognition is the Beginning, held at the Greenwood Theatre, London, on 2 June 2026.

Shawan Jabarin is General Director of Al-Haq, one of the leading Palestinian human rights organisations and the oldest independent human rights group in the occupied Palestinian territory. A prominent human rights advocate and lawyer, he has spent decades documenting violations of international law and promoting accountability through international legal mechanisms. Jabarin has worked extensively with United Nations bodies, international courts and global human rights networks, and is widely recognised as one of the leading voices on Palestinian human rights, international law and justice.

Negotiator and political analyst Daniel Levy examines the political frameworks, diplomatic initiatives and international mechanisms that have shaped recent developments in Gaza and the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Arguing that humanitarian realities cannot be separated from political decisions, Levy explores how international diplomacy, ceasefire arrangements and institutional responses have influenced conditions on the ground and the prospects for Palestinian self-determination.

The session explores:

• The relationship between humanitarian conditions in Gaza and international political decision-making.

• The development and implications of the post-war ceasefire framework and related diplomatic initiatives.

• The role of the United Nations Security Council and international institutions in shaping the current political landscape.

• The creation and function of the proposed "Board of Peace" governance structure.

• Questions of accountability, international law and the implementation of International Court of Justice rulings.

• International aid mechanisms, reconstruction efforts and donor frameworks relating to Gaza.

• Debates surrounding Palestinian governance, representation and future political structures.

• The future of UNRWA and broader efforts to reshape the international approach to Palestinian refugees.

• Proposals concerning international stabilisation forces, occupation and security arrangements.

• The geopolitical interests and international actors influencing developments in Palestine and the wider region.

Levy argues that many of the political and diplomatic structures currently under discussion cannot be understood as neutral administrative arrangements, but instead reflect broader debates about sovereignty, accountability, self-determination and the future political status of Palestine.

He examines the tensions between international legal frameworks and diplomatic initiatives, questioning whether current proposals adequately address Palestinian rights and political aspirations.

The presentation concludes by considering the resilience of Palestinian society, the limitations of existing diplomatic approaches and the challenges facing those seeking a just and sustainable political settlement.

Recorded at the Britain Palestine Project annual conference, Recognition is the Beginning, held at the Greenwood Theatre, London, on 2 June 2026.

Daniel Levy is President of the US/Middle East Project (USMEP) and a former Israeli peace negotiator. He served as an adviser in the Israeli Prime Minister's Office and participated in peace negotiations with the Palestinians during the Oslo process and subsequent diplomatic initiatives. A frequent commentator and analyst on Middle East affairs, he is widely recognised for his work on diplomacy, conflict resolution, international law and Israeli-Palestinian relations, and regularly contributes to international media and policy discussions.