My Jerusalem Courses

International Human Rights Law (2 credits)
Professor Richard Klein

The emphasis of this course will be on the political, economic and civil rights provided by documents such as the International Bill of Human Rights. Topics will include the relationship between civil liberties and religious beliefs in Muslim countries as well as in Israel, and legal issues raised by the Middle East conflict. Particular consideration will be given to the status of the Arab population residing within the state of Israel. Attention will also be devoted to the economic and political relationship of the Palestinians and the Jewish settlers residing in the disputed territories.

 

The Arab-Israeli Conflict and its Resolution: Selected International Legal Aspects (2 Credits)
Dr. Barry Feinstein

In this day and age of ever-increasing globalization and the trend toward seeking out international aspects of almost every potential legal issue imaginable, it is crucial to recognize and appreciate the relevance of international law in our daily lives.  International law also has a vital role to play in addressing the need to enhance greater awareness and understanding of complex international issues relating to the Arab-Israeli conflict. The discussion in this course therefore will focus on an overview of international law as it relates to subjects including the following:  Legal issues arising out of important historical events in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict such as the McMahon - Hussein correspondence (1915-1916), the Balfour Declaration (1917), the Feisal - Weizmann agreement (1919), the British Mandate (1920-1948), the “Partition Resolution” of the United Nations General Assembly (1947), Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel (1948); the influence of Arab States non-recognition of Israel on the Arab-Israeli conflict; the legality of the use of force and self-defense in light of international law in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict, for example in the War of Independence (1948-1949), the Sinai Campaign (1956), the Six-Day War (1967), the Yom Kippur War (1973), Operation Yonatan (Entebbe) (1976), the bombing of the Iraqi nuclear reactor (1981), and Operation Peace for the Galilee (1982); freedom of navigation in international waterways in the Middle East pursuant to the Law of the Sea; and prospects for peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

 

Civil Liberties in an Age of Terrorism  (2 credits)

Professor Eileen Kaufman
This course will explore how the United States and Israel have responded to the tension between a commitment to protecting civil liberties and a need for enhancing national security. Among the issues that will be discussed are: the use and definition of torture; the indefinite detention of persons thought to be linked to terror; the conditions of confinement of suspected terrorists; and the legality of various military measures aimed at destroying the terrorism infrastructure and preventing further terrorist attacks. Central to our study will be an exploration of the appropriateness of judicial review of issues affecting national security. The U.S. response will be contrasted to Israel’s response to persistent acts of terrorism, with particular attention paid to the role of the Israeli Supreme Court.