30 young legal professionals, Israeli and Palestinians, from the private, public and third sector took part in the first session of the 6th annual seminar on International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

Joint initiative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), this seminar is an integral part of the ICRC’s mission to raise awareness and promote understanding of the Laws of War. By doing so, the International Committee of the Red Cross wishes to nurture generations of professionals sensitized to IHL, its application in this context, and its unique role in the protection of civilians and the reduction of unnecessary suffering caused by armed conflicts and other situations of violence.

The program combines theory and practice, analyzing case studies from around the world, as well as issues relevant to the reality in Israel and the occupied territories. It will provide the participants with practical tools to deal with complex and challenging legal issues such as the deprivation of liberty, the conduct of hostilities, warfare in urban environment, the law of occupation, the legal status of the Gaza Strip, the enforcement and implementation of IHL and its recent developments, and more.

The course comprises of 6 full-days meetings held in Tel Aviv, with some of Israel’s foremost legal authorities from the Academy, the Government, and the civil society. The first session included an historical overview of the development of IHL, as well as a discussion about the dilemma between military needs and humanitarian considerations and the challenges of applying the law in current conflicts.