legal association
Who are we ?
The Association of Jurists for the Respect of International Law (JURDI), established in 2024, brings together lawyers, judges, professors, legal experts, and other specialists in international law, united by a common goal: to promote respect for and the application of international law in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Through publications, conferences, and media appearances, JURDI members provide a credible source of information and knowledge to individuals and organizations interested in this conflict. JURDI also pursues legal action before national, European, and international courts, aiming to promote and defend respect for international law and human rights related to this conflict. Composed exclusively of legal professionals holding at least a Master's degree in law, JURDI relies on the voluntary commitment of its members, thus guaranteeing its independence and expertise.
JURDI Association
A word from the president
JURDI is a non-profit organization (under the French law of 1901), founded in 2024, based on its founders' observation of the need to amplify the voice of international law and human rights in France within the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As the world has witnessed the catastrophic and unprecedented escalation of the conflict affecting civilian populations in the Middle East for over a year, we are convinced that respect for and the effective application of international law are a crucial first step towards a just, lasting, and peaceful resolution of this deadly conflict. We believe that the promise of a world free from the most serious international crimes that threaten the stability, human rights, and peace to which the civilian populations of Palestine and Israel are entitled cannot be fulfilled without guarantees of respect for international law and its effective implementation.
We, legal professionals, teacher-researchers, lawyers, judges, doctoral students, humanitarians and legal experts, have set ourselves, with JURDI and thanks to the expertise of our members, to fulfill this ambitious objective through three main missions:
- • To alert France, Europe and the international community to their legal obligations in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; ;
- • To disseminate knowledge of international law standards alongside partner human rights associations and organizations; and
- • To intervene in litigation before French, European and international courts in order to ensure the effective respect of international standards and to support the quest for justice for civilian victims of the conflict.
As President of JURDI, I have been committed since our creation to ensuring that our association provides the necessary legal and technical expertise of its members to address the complex issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: you will therefore find on our website numerous documentary resources, reports, legal analyses, articles, media appearances and summaries of our legal actions, thus enabling any reader to seriously understand this conflict.
The human tragedy unfolding before our eyes in the Gaza Strip outrages us, but above all, it compels us to act vigilantly to uphold the law and its requirements, so often ignored, downplayed, or even flouted. Everyone will understand that this task is arduous, essential, and even vital. Given the urgency of the situation, the members of JURDI are fully mobilized: we hope to soon welcome more French-speaking legal professionals from around the world, as our work requires everyone's support.
I repeat with gravity: respect for international law is not an option; it must continue to be applied effectively and without double standards to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, otherwise the failure of international criminal justice will be inevitable and peace an illusion.
Enjoy your reading.
Patrick ZAHND
President of the JURDI AssociationOur different divisions
The litigation department
JURDI always seeks to engage in dialogue with public or private actors – legal entities or natural persons – who are involved in possible violations of international law in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its regional and international consequences, in order to try to convince them to cease their involvement.
However, when this dialogue is not possible, JURDI initiates legal proceedings before French, foreign, or European courts against these public or private actors. These actions are brought before civil, commercial, criminal, administrative, or other courts. Their aim is to obtain a ruling from the judge that the rules of international law apply, that the public or private actors concerned respect them, and that their violations cease and be punished. JURDI conceives of its legal actions solely with the aim of promoting awareness, understanding, and respect for the rules of international law applicable in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its regional and international consequences.
The research center
The advocacy unit
JURDI's advocacy team works with public and private decision-makers to promote respect for and implementation of international law in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It engages with French authorities, European and international institutions, businesses, financial actors, universities, and research organizations.
Its work relies on the legal expertise of its members (lawyers, judges, legal experts, researchers, etc.), through the development of position papers, legal arguments, institutional correspondence, contributions, and awareness-raising initiatives with relevant stakeholders. Closely linked to JURDI's litigation and research activities, the unit intervenes both upstream of decision-making and regulatory developments, and in support of or as an extension of proceedings initiated by the association.
