The Faculty of Law (FH) at Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) organised an online public lecture on 11 March 2026, featuring Dr. Abdelrahman Alasttal from the Institute for International Law at the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium. The lecture, titled “Impact of the 2023 Gaza War on Palestinian Self-Determination and Statehood: The Role of Indonesia,” explored the evolving legal landscape of the Palestinian struggle.
The concept of self-determination has become increasingly critical from the perspective of international legal subjects. This applies both to established states and to Palestine’s status as a belligerent under international law. The prolonged conflict between Palestine and Israel has drawn intense international attention, with a growing global consensus on the need to find a solution that positions Palestine as a state actor rather than a non-state actor.
Achieving formal legal recognition for Palestine as a subject of international law would have profound legal implications. Dr. Alasttal noted that such recognition would allow for the full application of international law instruments in the region. Interestingly, Dr. Alasttal is an alumnus of UNHAS himself, having completed his Doctoral Program in Legal Studies in 2024 before beginning his current academic career in Belgium.