The Legal Obligation to Prevent Genocide: On Gaza and Academic Responsibility

Nimer Sultany will discuss the responsibility of intellectuals and academics in cases of grave injustice and mass violations of human rights. While many western scholars and universities were quick to denounce Russia’s actions in Ukraine loudly and clearly, they have been silent, slow to react, or timid in the case of Israel’s mass crimes in Gaza. While many were quick to express solidarity with Ukrainian and Israeli victims, the same was not extended to Palestinian victims of mass atrocities. This silence and these double standards are remarkable when one considers the three provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice in the genocide case of South Africa v. Israel; the increasing consensus amongst genocide scholars, international lawyers, and human rights organizations that Israel has violated the prohibitions on apartheid and genocide; the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for war crimes and crimes against humanity against two of Israel’s leaders; and the International Court of Justice’s clear and detailed ruling on the illegality of Israel’s occupation since 1967.

Dania Abul Haj will speak about ICJP’s legal work on complicity in international crimes and efforts to hold various actors in the UK accountable, such as investment firms (including Oxford Colleges) as well as charities and companies.