Human rights lawyer Jessica Stober examines the legal consequences of recognising the State of Palestine and explores what international law requires of governments, businesses and institutions in response to the ongoing occupation.

Drawing on her experience working in the occupied Palestinian territory and her involvement in legal advocacy and litigation, Stober argues that recognition must be accompanied by practical measures affecting trade, arms licensing, sanctions and relations with Israeli settlements.

The session explores:

Why recognition of Palestine must lead to concrete legal and policy consequences.
The limitations of domestic legal remedies within the Israeli justice system.
The growing role of international law, international courts and treaty mechanisms in addressing Palestinian rights.
The significance of Palestine's accession to international treaties and institutions, including the International Criminal Court.
The International Court of Justice's 2024 Advisory Opinion and its implications for third states.
The legal responsibilities of states regarding settlements, occupation and self-determination.
The UK's trade relationship with Israel and questions surrounding settlement goods and economic activity linked to occupied territory.
The impact of settlements on Palestinian communities, agriculture, natural resources and land use.
Reports concerning conflict-related sexual violence and their implications for international legal obligations.
Policy options available to governments, including sanctions, trade measures, arms licensing reviews and accountability mechanisms.

Stober argues that international law already provides a framework for responding to unlawful situations, but that implementation often depends on political will. She examines how legal obligations relating to occupation, settlements and self-determination could be translated into practical government policy.

The presentation also considers the role of civil society, public advocacy and strategic litigation in encouraging governments to comply with international legal obligations and uphold a rules-based international order.

Returning to the conference theme, Recognition is the Beginning, Stober argues that recognition should not be viewed as an endpoint, but as a foundation for policies that meaningfully affect trade, accountability, sanctions and the protection of Palestinian rights.

Recorded at the Britain Palestine Project annual conference, Recognition is the Beginning, held at the Greenwood Theatre, London, on 2 June 2026.

Jessica Stober is a human rights lawyer specialising in international law, forced displacement, accountability and Palestinian rights. She previously worked with the Norwegian Refugee Council in the occupied Palestinian territory, where she supported legal efforts to challenge displacement, demolitions and settlement expansion. Her work focuses on international humanitarian law, international criminal law and strategic litigation, and she is involved in legal initiatives examining state responsibilities, trade relationships and accountability for violations of international law.