Holy places play a central role in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, sometimes more so than the political actors from each side care to admit.  What is the status of key holy places in the Old City of Jerusalem, what impact might international law have on these sites and in turn on eventual negotiations (if at all), and does domestic law play a role as well? The lecture will account for both historical developments and ongoing social changes to offer an overview of the myriad of issues that are at play when accounting for the importance to both sides of holy places.   

 

Dr. Leonard Hammer is a Visiting Scholar and the 2011, 2012, 2013,  2015 & 2016 David and Andrea Stein Visiting Professor of Modern Israel Studies at the University of Arizona. He is an adjunct professor at The Hebrew University’s Rothberg School and works as an International Expert for the Open Society Institute. Hammer’s research focuses on international law and human rights. His most recent publication Sacred Space in Israel and Palestine: Religion and Politics is a co-edited book and will appear in bookstores soon.