Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Our team in Jerusalem provides legal expertise to support humanitarian and human rights action in the Israeli-Palestinian context.
Latest news and reports
Featured publication
Easy Guide to International Humanitarian Law
Reference for Professionals Working in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
4th revised edition (2021)
Current research projects
2023-2024 Hostilities and Escalating Violence in the oPt
We provide in-depth legal analysis of the 2023-2024 hostilities in Israel and Gaza, as well as escalating violence across the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).
Shrinking Space for Civil Society
We provide in-depth analysis of the measures taken by the authorities in Israel and Palestine to restrict civil and political rights.
Legal Proceedings Relating to Israel and the oPt
We closely monitor proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) relating to Israel and the oPt. Publications and updates on this topic as well as significant proceedings before domestic courts are listed on this page.
Contact the IHL help desk for the occupied Palestinian territory and the region
Our team in Jerusalem provides analysis of the rules of international humanitarian law (IHL) and other international legal frameworks applicable in armed conflicts in general and in situations of occupation in particular.
E-mail: jerusalem-ihl@diakonia.se
Adherence to IHL reduces human suffering and removes obstacles to peace
- Enhanced knowledge and understanding of IHL generates greater respect for its rules and is a crucial precondition for securing adherence to them, which in turn contributes to the alleviation of human suffering.
- In the Israeli-Palestinian context, implementation of IHL and of the law of occupation in particular would remove some of the main obstacles to peace in the region.
- IHL provides an objective standard for advocacy that can overcome differences in moral, political, and religious outlook.
Legal research and training for better compliance with IHL in the Israeli-Palestinian context
We assess that it is a lack of political will on the part of the primary duty bearers – rather than a poor understanding of their obligations – that is the driving factor for recurring violations of international law in the Israeli-Palestinian context. The Diakonia IHL Centre engages directly with stakeholders that have the capacity to influence the primary duty bearers – the diplomatic and humanitarian community in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory – to push for better compliance with IHL. Through our research and training, we also seek to strengthen the capacity of local and international civil society organizations to promote respect for IHL in their advocacy vis-à-vis key stakeholders with a view to securing greater humanitarian protection.