Ep. 26: Political Analysis & Debate: Prof. Dr. Eyal Benvenisti (Tel Aviv University / Yale Law School)

Guest: Professor Dr. Eyal Benvenisti, Tel Aviv University / Yale Law School Host: Yusuf Bio: Professor Eyal Benvenisti is a leading authority in international and constitutional law and human rights. Born in Jerusalem in 1959, he earned his LL.B. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1984), and his LL.M. (1988) and J.S.D. (1990) from Yale Law School. He has held major academic roles, including Whewell Professor of International Law and Director of the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law at the University of Cambridge (2016–2024). Previously, he served as the Anny and Paul Yanowicz Professor of Human Rights at Tel Aviv University and as the Hersch Lauterpacht Professor of Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has also taught at Yale, Harvard, Columbia, and Toronto. His research explores the laws of occupation, sovereignty, and the relationship between domestic and international legal systems. He served as a legal advisor to Israel during the preliminary measures stage before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the South Africa v. Israel case. In this Episode: Professor Benvenisti examines the legal and humanitarian dimensions of the October 7 attacks and their aftermath. He analyzes whether the events could meet the legal threshold for genocidal intent under international law and discusses Israel’s military response, statements by Israeli officials, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza—including issues of aid blockades and starvation. The conversation explores the ICJ’s proceedings in South Africa v. Israel, the provisional measures ordered in January 2024, and the broader implications for state responsibility and international law. Professor Benvenisti also assesses proposed plans for Gaza’s future—such as the “Humanitarian City” and possible reoccupation—and reflects on the genocide discourse regarding Gaza within Israel and abroad, the recognition of Palestine by Western states, and the challenges facing international law in today’s geopolitical climate. This episode was recorded on August 14, 2025. Links: Prof. Dr. Eyal Benvenistihttps://law.yale.edu/eyal-benvenistihttps://english.tau.ac.il/profile/ebenve Provisional Measures of the ICJ (South Africa v. Israel), January 2024: https://tinyurl.com/49a288p6 ICJ Advisory Opinion on the Legal Status of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (July 2024): https://tinyurl.com/3862h9m9 On “Operation Gilead’s Chariots”: https://tinyurl.com/k4nfcjnr Public Statement by International Law Experts on Oct 7 as Potential Genocide: https://tinyurl.com/msen7c5p Please also check out our other episodes in the political and legal debate chapter to explore multiple perspectives. Disclaimer:Guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast team. Technical legal terms are explained in Episode 36 with Prof. Claus Kreß; contested histories are addressed by Prof. Gudrun Krämer in Episode 21.