Renowned professors, researchers discuss Palestinian political future in International Abu-Lughod conference

Political science professors, experts, and researchers discussed the latest Israeli attack on Gaza and Palestinian responses in the West Bank and Jerusalem in a four-day international conference organized by the Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies on Monday, June 7, 2021. 

In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Ali Jarbawi, director of the Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies, stressed the importance of the annual conference in highlighting Palestinian issues to a regional and international audience of academics and researchers, saying that the different perspectives offered by the participants help chart Palestinian policy and strategy. 

Steven Höfner, director of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Ramallah offices, stressed the importance of cooperation between the foundation and the Ibrahim Abu-Lughod institute, saying that such collaboration gives the institute the support needed to organize its annual conference, which focuses on relevant and timely issues with local and regional impact.  

The first session of the conference focused on external factors affecting Palestinian political decision-making, while the second session saw participants explore internal factors affecting Palestinian political and diplomatic efforts. In the third session, attendees discussed the possible paths towards Palestinian independence, and the fourth session included a roundtable discussion on the actions that Palestinians and their leadership could undertake to take advantage of the current momentum and achieve actual progress, whether in terms of unifying Palestinian political efforts or implementing concrete steps to achieve independence. 

Follow this link to view a summary of the conference’s sessions (in Arabic).