What is international law? How is it created, and does it operate in the same way as domestic law? Is it a binding legal system or primarily a set of normative frameworks shaping state behavior? What is the relationship between international law and global politics, and does it apply equally to all states? Where do non-state actors fit within this system?
International law has regulated relations between states for more than two centuries, gaining increased institutionalization and prominence following World War II with the creation of international organizations and tribunals. In recent decades, however, the international legal order has faced growing challenges. Armed conflicts increasingly involve non-state actors, raising complex questions about the application of the laws of armed conflict and the legal framework governing terrorism. At the same time, contemporary geopolitical developments have placed pressure on core principles of the international legal system, including the prohibition on the use of force, the acquisition of territory, and mechanisms for state accountability.
This course examines these questions through the lens of the Middle East conflict. It explores the legal frameworks governing statehood, self-determination, occupation, armed conflict, and dispute resolution, while considering how international legal debates intersect with political realities. Through case studies, key legal instruments, and contemporary developments, students will engage critically with the role international law plays in shaping the legal and political landscape surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Teacher: גלית רג'ואן
- Course Editor: לנה רובני