14 January
Public lecture by Professor Ryszard Piotrowicz (UK) on "Legal issues arising out of Israel's intervention in Gaza".
Professor Ryszard Piotrowicz analysed the legitimacy of Israel’s use of force against Gaza, considering first whether such force was justified by the right to self-defence. Then he discussed humanitarian law aspects of the conflict, focussing on whether excessive force was being used, the obligation to distinguish between civilians and those engaged in fighting (particularly in light of the densely populated nature of Gaza), as well as the possibility that the Israeli attack might be seen as a collective punishment of the civilian population.