LONDON (Palestine Foundation Information Center) A significant seminar titled “Defending Palestinian Rights: Humanitarian and Legal Perspectives” was held at the British Parliament, organized by the Palestinian Return Center (PRC) and hosted by MP Shaukat Adam.
The seminar brought together a distinguished group of parliamentarians, academics, human rights advocates, and civil society representatives to discuss the roots of the Palestinian issue and its humanitarian and legal implications.
Britain’s historical role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The seminar began with remarks from Professor Avi Shlaim, Emeritus Professor of International Relations at the University of Oxford, who examined Britain’s historical responsibility in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He highlighted that the Balfour Declaration of 1917 laid the foundation for Palestinian suffering, noting:
“The Israeli-Palestinian conflict was made in Britain. The Balfour Declaration was the original sin that paved the way for the exclusion of Palestinians and their denial of the right to self-determination.”
Shlaim added that ongoing Israeli policies, such as the annexation of East Jerusalem and settlement expansion, have rendered the two-state solution unfeasible, describing it as “dead as a dodo.”
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza: A tragedy unfolding
Professor Shlaim also shed light on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, describing it as a catastrophe and an act of genocide. He shared shocking statistics:
“More than 44,000 have been killed, 70% of whom are women and children. Over 90% of Gaza’s population has been forcibly displaced, and 17,000 children have been killed. This is not merely a conflict—it is genocide.”
He further elaborated that the destruction of infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, reflects a deliberate Israeli policy known as “mowing the lawn”, aimed at crushing Palestinian resistance without addressing the root causes of the conflict.
International law and Israeli violations
Professor Penny Green, Director of the International State Crime Initiative at Queen Mary University of London, addressed the limitations of international law in holding Israel accountable for its violations. She pointed out that Israel has defied more than 28 UN Security Council resolutions with impunity, supported by Western powers led by the United States and the United Kingdom.
Green emphasized the crucial role of civil society in confronting these violations, highlighting the effectiveness of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign:
“Civil society has always been at the forefront of defending rights. The BDS campaign is not merely a tool of pressure but a moral and ethical responsibility of solidarity.”
Targeting UNRWA and erasing the refugee issue
Dr Lex Takkenberg, Senior Advisor at the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), discussed Israel’s efforts to undermine the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). He described this as part of a broader colonial project aimed at erasing the Palestinian refugee issue altogether.
State obligations under international law
In her concluding remarks, Dr Shahd Hammouri, lecturer in international law at the University of Kent and an international legal consultant, addressed state obligations under International Court of Justice (ICJ) rulings concerning Palestine. She emphasized the importance of imposing arms embargoes, recognizing the right of return, and the UK’s responsibility to prevent genocide.
Quoting Frederick Douglass, she underscored the need for moral confrontation:
“The contradiction between the principles of justice in international law and its use to justify violence must be exposed.”
Dr Hammouri stressed that the Israeli occupation violates fundamental principles such as self-determination and non-racial discrimination. She added that continued international support for the status quo constitutes a breach of international law and called on countries, particularly the UK, to impose arms embargoes and cease economic cooperation with Israel.
“Justice will not be achieved through humanitarian aid alone but by recognizing Palestinian rights. This is the only path to preserving our shared humanity.”
Who is the Palestinian Return Center?
The Palestinian Return Center (PRC) is a non-governmental organization advocating for Palestinian refugee rights and their causes on the international stage. Established in the UK, the PRC is one of the most prominent Palestinian entities abroad. It is officially registered with the United Nations and holds membership in several international and regional organizations, including the UN Human Rights Council.
The PRC aims to raise global awareness about Palestinian refugee rights, including the right of return, while demanding legal and humanitarian justice. The organization also supports Palestinians in the diaspora through media campaigns, human rights reports, and organizing events and conferences worldwide.
