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.