Day One: Saturday, 25 May 2024 | Time |
Opening and keynote speeches | 11:00-12:00 |
Session One: “Tufan Al-Aqsa” in the Context of Palestinian National Struggle: Resistance and Political Prospects While appearing surprising in its timing, scale, and nature, “Tufan Al-Aqsa” unfolds within the broader context of the Palestinian national struggle, which has undergone various phases since the establishment of the Israeli occupation more than seven decades ago. It represents both a cumulative act of liberation and a response to the occupation’s policies aimed at Judaising Jerusalem, besieging the Gaza Strip, and expanding settlements—all of which pose significant threats to the future of the Palestinian cause as a whole. The humanitarian toll of the war on Gaza has been immense and unprecedented, yet it has reignited discussions about a Palestinian state and the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. Will “Tufan Al-Aqsa” pave the way for a new political paradigm that transcends both the “deal of the century” and the Oslo Accords, offering a viable alternative? What shape will resistance take, and what will be its role in the future of the Palestinian national project? Moderator: Fairouz Ziani, Al Jazeera Presenter Speakers:
| 12:00-13:00 |
Break | 13:00-13:15 |
Session Two: The Implications of the War on Israel: Politics, Society and the Future of the Zionist Project “Tufan Al-Aqsa” and the subsequent war were not just military manoeuvres by the Palestinian resistance and retaliatory actions by the occupying forces. This qualitative shift marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with profound and far-reaching implications—be they military, political, social or economic—on the occupation. Against this backdrop, Israeli political, military and academic circles have begun questioning the viability and longevity of the Zionist project, along with its future in the region. These inquiries coincide with a diminishing common ground among various segments of Israeli society, escalating disagreements among its political, military and religious leaders, and a decline in Israelis’ confidence in their institutions’ ability to ensure security, justice and prosperity. This session delves into the direct and indirect consequences of the war on Israel’s internal dynamics, the future of the occupation, and the Zionist project as a whole. Moderator: Ghinwa Ibrahim, Al Jazeera Presenter Speakers:
| 13:15-14:15 |
Lunch | 14:15-15:30 |
Session Three: International Justice in the Balance of the Israeli War on Gaza In addition to the military confrontations and subsequent mediations, diplomatic efforts and political pressures aimed at providing a political solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Israeli war on Gaza paved the way for legal action, notably highlighted by South Africa’s case against Israel before the International Court of Justice on charges of genocide. While legal scrutiny of Israel and its actions in the occupied territories predates the recent war, with issues, investigations and inquiries being raised at various levels of international justice, the momentum generated by the South Africa case, particularly involving the most serious crimes such as genocide, being prosecuted before the highest international judicial bodies, underscores the significance of the legal avenue. Can this legal approach put an end to Israel’s impunity and restore respect for international justice? What role can the legal path play in resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict? Moderator: Wassila Oulmi, Al Jazeera Presenter Screening of seven-minute film on al-Shifa Hospital Speakers:
| 15:30-16:30 |
Break | 16:30-16:45 |
Session Four: The Arab Regime and the Palestinian Cause: Shifts in Positions, Risks and Roles Moderator: Meriem Belalia, Al Jazeera Presenter | 16:45-17:45 |
Dinner | 20:00-22:00 |
Day Two: Sunday, 26 May 2024 | |
Session One: Post-Tufan Balances at the Regional Level: Powers, Axes and Strategies The impact of “Tufan Al-Aqsa” transcended the changes it instigated within the realm of resistance and the Palestinian national liberation movement, as well as the political, economic and social spheres of the Israeli occupation. Its reverberations reached the broader region, unsettling its delicate balances. Iranian influence solidified in the region through strategic assets and capabilities cultivated and strengthened over the years. Meanwhile, Turkish influence waned amidst internal and external pressures and its historical and anticipated level of involvement with the Palestinians declined, indicating a reassessment of Ankara’s considerations, priorities and regional alliances. As for key Arab states, their influence remained inconspicuous, with their roles largely confined to marginal positions, from which Israel reaped great benefits. This session sheds light on the post-war regional landscape, examining the roles and strategies of major regional powers, particularly Iran, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Moderator: Wassila Oulmi, Al Jazeera Presenter Speakers:
| 10:00-11:00 |
Break | 11:00-11:30 |
Session Two: Gaza Rearranges the Priorities of the International Agenda: The Middle East, Conflict in Ukraine and Tensions with China The Israeli war on Gaza has reshaped and reordered the priorities of the international agenda. The significance of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has diminished in the spectrum of global crises and conflicts, along with the perceived threat it posed to European and global security and the foundations of the international order. Similarly, tensions between the United States and China have eased following the potential escalation of the South China Sea dispute into a military confrontation between two of the world’s foremost military and economic powers. Likewise, American presence in the Middle East has significantly diminished as gradual withdrawals hinted at a reduced strategic importance of the region to the United States. What are the distinctive attributes of the Palestinian cause that endow it with significant importance and enable it to occupy a central position in international affairs? Are there limits to unconditional Western engagement with the Zionist project? How do we interpret the stances and approaches of other global powers such as Russia and China towards the evolving dynamics of this conflict? Moderator: Meriem Belalia, Al Jazeera Presenter Speakers:
| 11:30-12:30 |
Lunch | 12:30-14:00 |
Session Three: The Targeting of Journalists in the War on Gaza: Realities, Challenges and Protection Efforts As with any conflict, conveying the truth during the war on Gaza is a fundamental challenge. The media emerged as a notable casualty, despite its distinct insignias, journalist protection protocols and advocacy organisations, all of which failed to shield it from being targeted. The unprecedented toll of casualties among journalists and their families underscores that the Israeli war machine treated journalists not as collateral damage but as deliberate targets. Yet, ensuring the safety of media crews was not the sole hurdle. International journalism encountered genuine trials of professionalism during the Gaza conflict, testing its dedication to truth, impartiality in coverage, presentation of diverse perspectives and avoidance of bias. While some media outlets struggled to uphold their professional standards and paid dearly for it, others swiftly embraced the Israeli narrative uncritically, thereby exerting tight control over the Palestinian narrative. Even social media platforms did not escape these biases; in fact, some openly and systematically aligned with the Israeli agenda. This session delves into the challenges faced by the media in times of war, with a particular focus on safety and professionalism. Moderator: Mhamed Krichen, Al Jazeera Presenter Speakers:
| 14:00-15:30 |
Break | 15:45-15:30 |
Session Four: Special Dialogue with Influencers on the Conflict of Narratives This session will feature a panel of social media influencers discussing their roles in the ongoing conflict between Palestinian and Israeli narratives. The session will focus on the contributions of young people in navigating this conflict, the various platforms they utilise, and the disparities in platform terms and policies. It will also analyse the demographics and engagement quality of the audiences following these influencers. Moreover, the session will scrutinise the shared content, its origins and the methods employed for verifying its accuracy. Additionally, it will delve into the challenges encountered by influencers and the pressures stemming from their positions, as well as the influence they wield on their audiences and public opinion. Moderator: Elia Ghorbia, storyteller and producer at AJ+ Speakers:
| 16:45 – 15:45 17:00-16:54 |
