Barbed wire and in the background the Temple Mountain.
Israel-Palestine: training and events

IHL Training Series

30 January 2023

The Diakonia IHL training series is organized to equip professionals working in or on the context of the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) with a foundational understanding of the international legal framework applicable in armed conflicts and situations of occupation, with a strong focus on international humanitarian law (IHL). 

This training series is tailored specifically towards the needs of lawyers and legal advisors, policymakers, civil society organizations, humanitarian and development professionals, human rights advocates, and journalists whose work relates to the oPt context. 

Description

The IHL Centre’s in-depth training on key thematic topics will familiarize participants with the areas of law that have direct bearing on their work. It addresses select humanitarian issues that are particularly relevant in the oPt context and discusses how international law applies to these issues. Participants will gain a basic degree of legal literacy that should inform and enhance their protection, humanitarian, human rights, or reporting work.  

Upon completion of the training, participants should be able to identify the main rules of international law applicable to the protection issues addressed during the series and should be able to understand and know how to apply those rules. They should also be able to critically assess legal narratives from external sources.  

The programme is designed to cover a selection of issues that are most pertinent and will be adapted if there are significant developments of legal relevance occurring in the context. 

Please note that the IHL Centre also organizes an IHL training specifically for members of the diplomatic community in Israel and the oPt. Further information is available here

The Spring 2023 edition of this training series will be conducted in person. Participants have the option to attend the training either in Ramallah or in Gaza. 

The training in Ramallah will take place on 28 February and 7 March. 

The training in Gaza will take place on 7 and 8 March. 

The training will be conducted in English and cover the following topics, spread over two days: 

Topic 1 – Introduction to international law and the law of occupation in the oPt

Topic 2 – Fragmentation, dispossession and displacement

Topic 3 – Use of force and deprivation of liberty

Topic 4 – Implementation and measures for accountability

How to apply

Applications for the Spring 2023 training series are now closed. Successful applicants will be notified via email. Information regarding future series will be available on this page at a later date.