Britain Palestine Project

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.

Sam Rose, Director of Planning at UNRWA, provides a frontline assessment of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reflects on the immense challenges facing humanitarian organisations operating in the territory.

Drawing on his experience working in Gaza between early 2024 and March 2025, Rose examines the realities facing civilians after nearly three years of conflict, the pressures on humanitarian agencies, and the wider political context shaping the crisis.

The session explores:

• The continuing humanitarian emergency in Gaza despite the reduction in large-scale hostilities.

• The role of UNRWA and the challenges it faces in maintaining services under political, operational and financial pressure.

• Conditions experienced by displaced Palestinians, including shelter, sanitation, water and food insecurity.

• The long-term impact of displacement and the cumulative effects of years of conflict on Gaza's population.

• Public health concerns, including disease outbreaks, malnutrition, environmental hazards and the collapse of basic infrastructure.

• The difficulties humanitarian agencies face in delivering assistance and restoring essential services.

• The importance of education and the efforts made to return children to learning despite extraordinary obstacles.

• The humanitarian consequences of territorial restrictions, displacement and loss of access to agricultural land and resources.

• The pressures facing international NGOs, UN agencies and humanitarian workers operating in Gaza.

• The relationship between humanitarian conditions and the broader political realities of occupation, sovereignty and self-determination.

Rose argues that while humanitarian organisations continue to provide essential support, the crisis cannot be understood solely through a humanitarian lens. He emphasises that the conditions facing Palestinians are rooted in broader political questions relating to rights, accountability, self-determination and international law.

He also reflects on the resilience of Gaza's population, describing efforts by families, teachers, healthcare workers and humanitarian staff to maintain daily life and essential services despite extraordinary hardship.

The presentation concludes with a warning that the consequences of policies and practices tested in Gaza may have implications far beyond Palestine, making accountability and international legal protections increasingly important for humanitarian work worldwide.

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

Sam Rose is Director of Planning at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). He has worked extensively on humanitarian operations, emergency response and development programmes across the Middle East and has spent significant periods based in Gaza. Through his work with UNRWA, he has become a leading voice on the humanitarian situation facing Palestinian refugees and the challenges confronting international relief efforts in Gaza and the wider occupied Palestinian territory.

Professor Nick Maynard, consultant surgeon at Oxford University Hospitals and one of the UK's most experienced medical volunteers in Gaza, delivers a stark and deeply personal account of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the territory.

Drawing on multiple medical missions to Gaza, Maynard combines frontline observations with data from international organisations, medical journals and humanitarian agencies to illustrate the scale of civilian suffering, the collapse of healthcare infrastructure and the challenges facing Gaza's future recovery.

In this presentation, Professor Maynard discusses:

• The human cost of the war in Gaza, including civilian casualties, child deaths, injuries and displacement.

• The impact of mass casualty events on Gaza's hospitals and medical staff.

• First-hand experiences treating patients suffering severe blast injuries and trauma.

• The destruction of healthcare facilities and the targeting of hospitals and medical personnel.

• The detention, treatment and deaths of healthcare workers during the conflict.

• Medical evidence relating to patterns of injuries seen among civilians.

• The effects of malnutrition, starvation and restrictions on humanitarian supplies.

• The challenges of medical evacuation, rehabilitation and long-term healthcare recovery.

• The response of governments, institutions and the international medical community to the crisis.

Alongside statistics and analysis, Maynard shares the stories of individual patients, colleagues and families he encountered while working in Gaza, highlighting both the devastating human consequences of the conflict and the resilience of Palestinian healthcare workers operating under extraordinary conditions.

The presentation concludes with reflections on the urgent humanitarian needs facing Gaza, the scale of reconstruction required and the determination of medical professionals who continue to provide care despite immense personal risk.

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

Professor Nick Maynard is a Consultant Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Professor of Surgery at the University of Oxford. He has undertaken multiple humanitarian medical missions to Gaza and is a prominent advocate for the protection of healthcare workers, patients and medical facilities in conflict zones. Through his clinical work and public advocacy, he has become one of the most prominent British medical voices documenting the humanitarian consequences of the war in Gaza.

Journalist, political analyst and former Palestinian government spokesperson Nour Odeh examines the growing gap between changing global public opinion on Palestine and the slower pace of political change among governments and international institutions.

Reflecting on developments since the UK's recognition of Palestine, Odeh argues that while public awareness of Palestinian rights, occupation and displacement has grown significantly, mainstream political responses continue to lag behind public sentiment and international legal standards.

The session explores:

• The significance and limitations of the UK's recognition of Palestine.

• The contrast between changing public attitudes and established political positions in Western governments.

• The relationship between recognition, international law and practical political action.

• Debates surrounding settlements, occupation and accountability under international law.

• The role of international institutions, including the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice.

• The influence of media coverage and changing information environments on public understanding of Palestine.

• Why public opinion has shifted significantly in favour of Palestinian rights across many countries.

• The growing role of civil society, grassroots movements and younger generations in shaping debate.

• The challenges of translating public sympathy into meaningful policy change.

• Palestinian perspectives on justice, freedom, equality and decolonisation.

Odeh reflects on how Palestinians have experienced the disconnect between official political narratives and public reactions around the world, arguing that many people have increasingly rejected traditional gatekeepers of information and sought alternative ways to understand events in Palestine.

She also discusses the importance of solidarity movements, human rights organisations and grassroots activism, suggesting that growing public engagement is creating new forms of pressure on political leaders and institutions.

Returning to the conference theme, Recognition is the Beginning, Odeh argues that recognition alone is insufficient unless accompanied by concrete measures that uphold international law, protect human rights and advance Palestinian freedom and self-determination.

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

Nour Odeh is a Palestinian political analyst, journalist and former government spokesperson. She previously served as spokesperson for the Palestinian government and has worked extensively in international media, diplomacy and public affairs. A respected commentator on Palestinian politics, regional affairs and international diplomacy, she regularly contributes analysis to major international broadcasters and publications and is widely recognised for her work on Palestinian rights, governance and public opinion.

Political analyst and public opinion researcher Dr Dahlia Scheindlin examines how Israelis and Palestinians have responded to the events of recent years and what polling data reveals about attitudes towards war, diplomacy, coexistence and the future of the conflict.

Drawing on decades of joint Israeli-Palestinian public opinion research conducted with Palestinian pollster Dr Khalil Shikaki, Scheindlin explores both the striking parallels and significant differences that have emerged in public attitudes on either side of the conflict.

The session explores:

• Long-term trends in Israeli and Palestinian public opinion regarding diplomacy, conflict and political solutions.

• How attitudes shifted following the events of October 2023 and the subsequent war in Gaza.

• Changes in support for political actors, armed groups and military responses among both populations.

• Israeli public attitudes towards the war in Gaza, ceasefire proposals and hostage negotiations.

• The extent of fear, mistrust and dehumanisation that has developed between Israelis and Palestinians.

• Trends in support for a two-state solution and what these shifts may indicate about future political possibilities.

• The relationship between public opinion and government policy in Israel.

• Generational differences within Israeli society and how younger voters view the conflict.

• Israeli perceptions of changing international attitudes towards Israel and Palestine.

• The potential influence of shifting global public opinion on future policymaking.

Dr Scheindlin highlights the ways in which trauma, insecurity and prolonged conflict have shaped public opinion on both sides, often producing similar patterns of fear, hardening attitudes and declining confidence in diplomatic solutions.

At the same time, she examines areas where public opinion diverges from political leadership and discusses the complex relationship between changing public attitudes, media narratives and policy decisions.

The presentation concludes by considering how international opinion, political activism and evolving public discourse may shape future debates around Israel, Palestine and the prospects for peace.

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

Dr Dahlia Scheindlin is a political analyst, public opinion researcher and writer specialising in Israeli politics, Israeli-Palestinian relations and democratic governance. She has advised international organisations, governments and civil society groups and is widely recognised for her work analysing public opinion trends across Israel and Palestine. Dr Scheindlin is the author of The Crooked Timber of Democracy in Israel and a frequent commentator in international media on Israeli politics, conflict and peacebuilding.

Journalist and commentator Max Rodenbeck examines shifting attitudes towards Palestine and Israel across the United States, Europe, the Arab world and Jewish communities internationally. Drawing on recent polling, media coverage and political developments, he explores how public understanding of the conflict has evolved and what challenges remain in translating opinion into political action.

The session explores:

• Major shifts in public opinion on Palestine and Israel since 2023.

• Recent developments in the United States and changing attitudes within political, media and cultural circles.

• The role of media coverage and high-profile political controversies in shaping public perceptions.

• Changes in public opinion across Europe, including Germany and Italy.

• Growing international awareness of concepts such as the Nakba and public debates surrounding Israeli government policies.

• Global polling data measuring perceptions of Israel and wider international attitudes towards the conflict.

• Trends within American public opinion, including generational and political differences.

• Public opinion across the Arab world and the broader regional impact of the war in Gaza.

• Evolving attitudes among Jewish communities, particularly in the United States.

• The gap between public opinion and political decision-making in democratic systems.

Rodenbeck argues that public understanding of Palestine has broadened significantly, with issues that were once confined to specialist discussions now entering mainstream political and cultural debate. He highlights the growing visibility of Palestinian narratives and the increasing scrutiny being applied to government policies and international responses.

At the same time, he cautions that changes in public opinion do not automatically translate into political action. While polling suggests significant shifts in attitudes across multiple countries, he notes that political influence, institutional power and policymaking often move much more slowly than public sentiment.

The presentation concludes with a discussion of the challenges facing campaigners, advocates and policymakers seeking to turn changing public awareness into meaningful political change.

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

Max Rodenbeck is a journalist, author and former Middle East correspondent and bureau chief for The Economist. He has reported extensively from across the Middle East for more than three decades and is widely regarded as one of the leading commentators on the region's politics, history and international relations. His work has focused on Palestine, Israel, Egypt and the wider Arab world, and he is the author of several acclaimed books on Middle Eastern politics and society.

Dr Anne Irfan argues that recognition of Palestine must extend beyond the territory of the West Bank and Gaza to include the rights, experiences and political agency of Palestinians worldwide, particularly the millions living as refugees.

Drawing on historical research into Palestinian displacement, refugee camps and the history of UNRWA, Dr Irfan explores how the Nakba continues not only through the loss of land, but also through efforts to fragment Palestinian identity and marginalise Palestinian voices in international discourse.

The session explores:

• Why recognition of Palestine should include recognition of all Palestinians, including refugees and diaspora communities.

• The concept of the Nakba as an ongoing process rather than a single historical event.

• The displacement of Palestinians during 1948 and the creation of one of the world's largest refugee populations.

• The importance of the right of return and its place in international law and Palestinian political identity.

• Early international responses to Palestinian refugees and the ways in which Palestinian identity was often obscured or depoliticised.

• The history of Palestinian refugee camps as centres of political organisation, community life and national consciousness.

• The origins and evolution of UNRWA and its relationship with Palestinian refugee communities.

• Palestinian resistance to efforts aimed at permanent resettlement outside Palestine.

• The central role of education in Palestinian refugee communities and national identity.

• Contemporary refugee activism, including campaigns centred on the right of return and solidarity across the Palestinian diaspora.

Dr Irfan highlights the ways in which Palestinian refugees have consistently asserted their political agency, challenged attempts to erase their identity and maintained connections to Palestine across generations. She argues that refugee communities have played a central role in shaping Palestinian political history and continue to do so today.

The presentation concludes by examining the relevance of refugee history to current events in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, and by arguing that meaningful recognition must encompass the full Palestinian people, wherever they live.

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

Dr Anne Irfan is a historian of the modern Middle East and Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Race, Gender and Postcolonial Studies at University College London. Her research focuses on Palestinian history, refugee communities, international organisations and the politics of displacement. She is the author of Refuge and Resistance: Palestinians and the International Refugee System and is widely recognised for her work on the history of UNRWA, Palestinian refugees and the global dimensions of the Palestinian struggle.