07.01.26
Editorial Note
Next week, on January 13, 2026, the Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment at UCL will host a conference titled “Gaza: The Politics of Future in the Aftermath of Genocide.” The conference aims to “explore the aftermath of the destruction due to Israel’s genocidal war on Palestinians and Palestinian life in Gaza.”
The invitation states: “Over the past two years (2023–2025), Gaza has experienced unprecedented destruction due to Israel’s genocidal war on Palestinians and Palestinian life in Gaza that began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on Israel. The scale and intensity of violence have led to catastrophic humanitarian, infrastructural, and societal collapse across the Gaza Strip.”
The conference further proposes to “discuss not only the outcomes of such spatiocide, but also how The Politics of Future in the aftermath of genocide in Gaza could be imagined.”
Prof. Haim Yacobi of UCL’s Development Planning Unit (DPU), the conference chair, will address “The Shared Homeland Paradigm.” Omer Bartov, Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University, will lecture on “Israel’s War in Gaza and the Question of Genocide.” He will “examine the deep and immediate roots of the October 7 attack and massacre by Hamas, Israel’s genocidal response, and possible future scenarios of the current calamity.” Bartov will also discuss “the evolution of Zionism from a movement of liberation and emancipation into a state ideology of ethnonationalism, expansionism, militarism, and growing racism,” and how events in Gaza and the West Bank are allegedly transforming the nature of the State of Israel.
The next speaker will be Omar Shaban, founder and director of Palthink for Strategic Studies, a Gaza-based think tank. His talk, “Gaza’s Day After – Challenges and Opportunities,” will explore what he describes as a post-war reality, stating that while “the war ended in Gaza,” a different type of struggle lies ahead. His presentation focuses on the humanitarian crisis and immediate needs—education, housing, and reconstruction—while addressing governance challenges related to Gaza’s reconstruction, contingent upon security conditions and the identity of the postwar governing authority.
Following him is Rami Nasrallah, Honorary Associate Professor at UCL’s DPU. His lecture, “From Destruction to Determination: Reconstructing Gaza, Reclaiming Palestine,” draws on Future of Palestine Scenarios developed by the International Peace and Cooperation Center and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (2024–2025). The presentation examines whether Gaza’s reconstruction can serve as a vehicle for Palestinian statehood, conflict resolution, and a new regional order. The scenarios outline divergent trajectories for Palestinian society, governance, and national identity by 2035—ranging from a “Free Prosperous Palestine” grounded in sovereignty and democracy, to a “Non-State of Palestine,” a “Besieged Palestine,” and an “Uprooted Palestine” characterized by systemic displacement.
Two months ago, in November 2025, Yacobi and Nasrallah jointly presented the “Shared Homeland Paradigm” at Lund University’s Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (Sweden). According to a Lund University report, Yacobi highlighted what he termed the paradox of cities in Israel-Palestine: while deeply politicized, they could serve as spaces for transformation and reconciliation. He proposed the urban areas as catalysts for “decolonization and coexistence.” He introduced a model of two sovereign states with flexible arrangements for residency and citizenship. His framework challenges traditional territorial divisions and promotes shared metropolitan governance and decentralized urban regimes, according to the report.
The report further notes that Dr. Nasrallah, in his lecture titled “Community Resilience Amid Crisis,” emphasized what he described as the systematic fragmentation of Palestinian territories and highlighted the “resilience” of communities rebuilding homes and identities despite severe restrictions. He stated, “Managing the conflict is not solving the problem.”
The Q&A session addressed issues such as justice, accountability for war crimes, and the right of return for refugees, with both speakers agreeing that justice must be central to any future political arrangement. Nasrallah concluded that “If Israel does not recognize Palestinian rights to self-determination, it will harm its own long-term interests,” according to the report.
Yacobi is a longtime political activist. As early as 2013, IAM reported in a post titled “BGU Haim Yacobi – the ‘Poster Child’ of the Radical Academic-Activist Supported by Taxpayers.” IAM described him as a high-profile activist who advocated “decolonization” of Israel during a conference on visualizing the return of Palestinian refugees.
IAM reported on Yacobi again in 2016, in a post titled “BGU Haim Yacobi at a SOAS Palestine Society Conference: Anti-Israel Fest Sponsored by Qatar.” IAM noted that the SOAS University of London has been known for its radical anti-Israel positions. SOAS’s philosophy is deeply shaped by postcolonial and anti-imperialist scholarship, in which Israel is often portrayed as a paradigmatic example of Western colonialism and imperialism. Not incidentally, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed,” a London-based media outlet owned by the Qatari company Fadaat Media—supported the conference. IAM further noted that SOAS had become increasingly hostile to Jewish and pro-Israel students, citing a 2015 Jewish Chronicle article describing an atmosphere of intimidation following the launch of a BDS campaign.
Yacobi also published a paper, “Jerusalem: from a ‘divided’ to a ‘contested’ city—and next to a neo-apartheid city?” reiterating his portrayal of Israel as a colonial entity and Jerusalem as an apartheid city. He argued that Israeli planning policies promoted the “Judaization of Jerusalem” through the expansion of Jewish political, territorial, demographic, and economic control, asserting that Israel has used military and economic power to reshape borders, populations, and rights to ensure Jewish dominance.
Worth noting that there is an ongoing pattern here and in the upcoming UCL conference in question, which focuses exclusively on criticizing Israel rather than addressing internal Palestinian issues such as Hamas, the Islamic Jihad, and other factions.
As IAM observed, Israeli and Jewish activists are invited to provide a shield against accusations of antisemitism.
As IAM repeatedly emphasized, Yacobi is a poster child of Israeli and Jewish academics who are used to legitimize radical anti-Israeli scholarship. IAM also constantly noted that the “scholarship” which Yacobi espouses is a dubious mixture of slogans detached from both context and empirical reality, designed to advance a political agenda. This form of politicized writing is problematic on several grounds. It lacks historical context, portrays Palestinians as largely devoid of agency or responsibility for their own political decisions, and consistently assigns primary blame to Jews or to Israel.
Yacobi also represents the career path of radical Israeli activists who serve as a shield against accusations of antisemitism and are rewarded with plum positions in Western universities.
While seemingly entrenched, there is some pushback against the anti-Israeli propaganda masquerading as scholarship. Some critics have suggested that the social sciences and Middle East Studies have been irreparably politicized. In Great Britain, there have been complaints about academic freedom, free speech, and the marginalization of dissenting views. The influx of money from Qatar has also been discussed.
To regain credibility, universities must recommit to objective scholarship by changing hiring practices that reward political activists.
REFERENCES:
UCL Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment
Event type: In person
Date & time: 13 Jan 2026, 17:00 – 19:00
Gaza: The Politics of Future in the Aftermath of Genocide
Join us as we explore the aftermath of the destruction due to Israel’s genocidal war on Palestinians and Palestinian life in Gaza
Gaza: The Politics of Future in the Aftermath of Genocide
13 Jan 2026, 17:00 – 19:00
Room 403
Senate House Building
London
WC1E 7HU
United Kingdom
Over the past two years (2023–2025), Gaza has experienced unprecedented destruction due to Israel’s genocidal war on Palestinians and Palestinian life in Gaza that began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on Israel. The scale and intensity of violence have led to catastrophic humanitarian, infrastructural, and societal collapse across the Gaza Strip. In this panel we aim to discuss not only the outcomes of such spatiocide, but also how The Politics of Future in the aftermath of genocide in Gaza could be imagined.
Agenda
Chair: Haim Yacobi
17:00 – 17:10: Opening
Haim Yacobi | Co-PI The Shared Homeland Paradigm DPU, UCL
17:10 – 17:30: Israel’s War in Gaza and the Question of Genocide
Omer Bartov | Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University
This presentation will examine the deep and immediate roots of the October 7th attack and massacre by Hamas, Israel’s genocidal response, and possible future scenarios of the current calamity. Bartov will also discuss the evolution of Zionism from a movement of liberation and emancipation into a state ideology of ethnonationalism, expansionism, militarism, and growing racism, and address how the events in Gaza and the West Bank are transforming the nature of the state of Israel.
17:30 – 17:50: Gaza’s day after – challenges and opportunities
Omar Shaban | Founder and director of Palthink for Strategic Studies, a Gaza based thinktank
The war ended in Gaza but another type of war and challenges are ahead of all of us. This presentation will focus on the humanitarian crisis and immediate needs including education, housing and the reconstruction of Gaza. Throughout the presentation I will discuss the challenges of governance vis a vis Gaza’s reconstruction that will greatly depend on the security situation and who eventually rules postwar Gaza, as the new government will play a leading role in reconstruction.
17:50 – 18:10: From Destruction to Determination: Reconstructing Gaza, Reclaiming Palestine
Rami Nasrallah | Honorary Associate Professor, DPU, UCL
This presentation draws on the Future of Palestine Scenarios developed by the International Peace and Cooperation Center and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in 2024-2025, to explore possible trajectories for Palestine and examine whether Gaza’s reconstruction can serve as a transformative vehicle for Palestinian statehood, conflict resolution, and a new regional order. The scenarios outline divergent pathways shaping Palestinian society, governance, and national identity by 2035—ranging from a Free Prosperous Palestine grounded in sovereignty, democracy, and inclusive reconstruction, to a fragmented Non-State of Palestine, a Besieged Palestine trapped in humanitarian collapse, and an Uprooted Palestine marked by systemic displacement.
Discussants:
Dena Qaddumi | Visiting Fellow, LSE Middle East Centre
Heba Sabboubeh | Programme Director MSc Civil Infrastructure Engineering, Aston University
Further information
Cost Free
Open to All
Organiser Alex Macfarlane
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https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/cmes-seminar-explores-shared-homeland-paradigm-palestine-israel
Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies Faculty of Social Sciences | Lund University
- CMES Seminar Explores Shared Homeland Paradigm for Palestine-Israel
CMES Seminar Explores Shared Homeland Paradigm for Palestine-Israel
By Linus Edlund – published 26 November 2025
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Dr Rami Nasrallah, from University College London.
On November 20, the Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) at Lund University hosted a highly topical seminar titled “It’s Time to Think About the Future of Palestine-Israel.” The event brought together over 50 participants and featured two distinguished speakers: Professor Haim Yacobi and Dr Rami Nasrallah, from University College London.
“We are living in very challenging times, but this is why we need to think creatively about new ideas for the future.” – CMES Director Karin Aggestam
Key Themes and Insights
Urban Spaces as Arenas for Change
Professor Yacobi highlighted the paradox of cities in Israel-Palestine: while deeply politicized, they can serve as spaces for transformation and reconciliation. “Cities provide spaces of encounter almost by definition,” he noted, suggesting that urban areas could become catalysts for. decolonization and coexistence.
The Shared Homeland Paradigm
Yacobi introduced a forward-looking concept: two sovereign states with flexible arrangements for residency and citizenship. This model challenges rigid territorial divisions and promotes shared metropolitan governance and decentralised urban regimes. Read more about the Shared Homeland Paradigm here.
Professor Haim Yacobi, from University College London.
Community Resilience Amid Crisis
Dr Rami Nasrallah offered a rich overview of recent developments in Gaza and the West Bank, emphasising the systematic fragmentation of Palestinian territories. He underscored the resilience of communities rebuilding homes and identities despite severe restrictions: “Managing the conflict is not solving the problem.”
Audience Engagement
The Q&A session addressed critical issues, including justice, accountability for war crimes, and the right of return for refugees. Both speakers agreed that justice must be central to any future arrangement. Nasrallah underlined that “If Israel does not recognise Palestinian rights to self-determination, it will harm its own long-term interests.”
From left, Dr Rami Nasrallah, Professor, Haim Yacobi, Professor Karin Aggestam.
Key Points from the Seminar
- Urban spaces hold potential for reconciliation and shared governance.
- The shared homeland paradigm envisions two states with flexible residency and citizenship.
- Justice and accountability are essential for sustainable peace.
- International pressure may play a decisive role in shaping future scenarios.
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BGU Haim Yacobi at a SOAS Palestine Society Conference: Anti-Israel Fest Sponsored by Qatar
04.01.16
Editorial Note
We have been accustomed to seeing Israel-hate fests on Western campuses. This time its the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London, known for its radical pro-Palestinian positions. In its 10th annual conference in October, the Palestine Society has solely focused on the bashing of Israel instead of addressing Palestinian issues. As usual, Israeli and Jewish activists have been invited to serve as defense against charges of anti- Semitism and anti-Israelism.
As could be expected, Professor Ilan Pappe, a leading cheerleader for the Palestinian cause was present. The new recruit to SOAS, Hagar Kotef, made an appearance as well. As IAM reported, Kotef, whose paltry academic research focuses on the women of Machsom Watch, is a “politically correct” hire and it was only a matter of time until she had to deliver the bashing Israel “goods”.
Professor Haim Yacobi, the chair of the Politics and Government Department at BGU, was another speaker. His lecture “The “Arab Village”: Politics of Land [Counter]Representation and Identity” deals with the consequences of the 1948 war and the destruction of hundreds of Palestinian villages. Yacobi shall argue that “destruction is just one side of the colonial saptio-politics in Israel\Palestine.”
Yacobi recently published an article “Jerusalem: from a ‘divided’ to a ‘contested’ city—and next to a neo-apartheid city?” where he restated his claims that Israel is a colonial entity. He also views Jerusalem as an apartheid city: “while Israeli rhetoric declared Jerusalem a unified city, its planning policies have reflected the paradigm of a colonial city” that, “promoted the Judaization of Jerusalem—that is, the expansion of Jewish political, territorial, demographic and economic control. More specifically, over the past 46 years, Israel has used its military might and economic power to relocate borders and form boundaries, grant and deny rights and resources, shift populations and reshape the Occupied Territories, for the purpose of ensuring Jewish control.”
This type of “scholarship” that Yacobi represents is causing some respected academics to question if social sciences can be objective enough, with some going so far as to suggest that the field should be abolished. The reason is clear: the likes of Yacobi cherry pick their arguments to present a black and white image to fit their political agenda, ignoring any legitimate counter arguments that do not fit their theories.
To make matters worse, the invitation to the SOAS conference indicated that the conference was held “With the Support of Al-Araby Al-Jadeed”, a new media outlet in London, owned by the Qatari company Fadaat Media. In other words, it is Arab money that buys Western and Israeli scholarships that promote anti-Israel agenda.
SOAS one-sided support for the Palestinians made it a no-trespass zone for Jews. As the March 2015 article “Scared away as hate grows at SOAS” in the Jewish Chronicle stated, “Since SOAS’s students’ union launched a boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign in January, day-to-day life has become increasingly difficult for the handful of Jews and pro-Israel students on the campus.”
Things will get worse unless universities understand that their social sciences have been hijacked by anti-Israel agenda.
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BGU Haim Yacobi – the “Poster Child” of the Radical-Academic-Activist Supported by Taxpayers
Oct 24, 2013
Editorial Note
Haim Yacobi, the head of the Politics and Government Department at Ben Gurion University is a high-profile radical activist. During a recent conference “visualizing” the return of Palestinian refugees, he stated that Israel must go through a process of “decolonization” in order to level the playing field between Israeli “colonizers” and Palestinian “refugees.” He blamed the political reality (meaning the Israeli government) for not taking this debate any further. There is nothing wrong in holding non-mainstream political opinions. Like any other citizen, Yacobi has the right to engage in political activities within the framework of the law. It is not permissible, however, to use an academic position as an extension of such activity. Indeed, reacting to the Council of Higher Education threat to close the troubled department, Yacobi seemed to make the distinction between scholarships and politics: “To be honest, I really don’t care what my colleagues are doing after they are teaching here or whatever they’re doing on the weekend.” Ironically, Yacobi is a perfect example of mixing the two; according to the International Committee on the Evaluation under Professor Thomas Risse. (RC) the department suffered from a number of problems; most of its faculty have no background in political science, few core political science courses are offered, faculty published in fringe, radical left-wing outlets and there was an excessive engagement in political activism by faculty. Yacobi’s resume fits the profile of the RC. An architect by training, Yacobi devoted his career to a sub-field of critical geography pertaining to the political construction of space. Under research interests, he lists “the production of urban space, social justice, the politics of identity, migration, globalization and urban planning.” In fact, most of his publications involve various facets of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, with a heavy concentration of the “Zionist dispossession of the Palestinians.” More recently, Yacobi has focused on African immigrants in Israel – a new cause celebre of radical-leftist academics. Yacobi’s list of publications reflects what the what the RC considered fringe outlets. Virtually all has been published by left-leaning presses or journals, including the Hebrew language Resling Press and the Van Leer Institute – Kibbutz Hameuahd Press, created to popularize critical scholarship. Likewise, the English- language Ashage Press describes itself as “a family owned firm committed to social reasonability.” When it comes to Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Ashage stands shoulder to shoulder with Pluto, Verso and Zed in featuring a scathing critique of Zionism and Israel. In additional to Yacobi’s book. Ashage boast titles by such radical detractors of “Israeli apartheid and colonists” as Marcelo Swirsky and Dan Rabinowitz, among others. To rectify the serious flows in the department the RC urged to hire more main-stream faculty and reduce what was deemed as an excessive level of activism. While this is a much- needed correction for the future, the past practices of the department that resulted in the hiring of Yacobi and others activists, including the former medical doctor Dani Filc should also be investigated. The responsibility lies squarely with Professor David Newman, the former head of Politics and Government and the current Dean. In a recent article Newman in Jerusalem Post, Newman complained about the neglect of social sciences by the government. In response, IAM would like to ask Dean Newman whether the government should spend more of taxpayers money on subsiding the political activism- dressed up- as scholarship of Yacobi and others.
israel-academia-monitor.com 