This presentation explores the concept of Zionist exceptionalism as a framework for understanding how political legitimacy, rather than military or geopolitical power alone, has sustained Israeli impunity within the international system. Drawing on political philosophy, settler-colonial theory, and critical discourse analysis, it examines the ideological, moral, and epistemic mechanisms through which claims of exception are constructed and maintained. By engaging with the works of Edward Said, M. Shahid Alam, and Norman G. Finkelstein, the presentation analyzes how historical memory, representations of legitimacy, and dominant political narratives shape international responses to Palestine. It further considers the tensions embedded within these mechanisms and discusses whether growing legal scrutiny, shifting global discourse, and emerging challenges to dominant narratives signal a broader crisis of legitimacy for Zionist exceptionalism and its place within the contemporary international order.

Moderator: Cristiano Gianolla (CES) | Discussant: Maria Elena Indelicato (CES)

Bio note

Hanan Husein is a Palestinian woman from Ramallah, Palestine. She holds a Master’s degree in Political Philosophy from Pompeu Fabra University. Hanan has more than eight years of experience working with Palestinian civil society organizations on issues related to socio-economic development, research, political and social justice, and community development. For the past three years, she has worked with Baladna – Association for Arab Youth, based in Haifa, an organization that works with Palestinian youth to strengthen and sustain their Palestinian socio-political identity and collective engagement.
 

Event organised bythe ITM – Inter-Thematic Group on Migration

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This activity will be provided through Zoom platform and does not require registration. Participation is limited to the number of places available > https://zoom.us/j/87057208712 | ID: 870 5720 8712 | Password: 531432

Please keep the microphone on mute until the discussion is open. The host may remove disruptive participants.

Open activities conducted in digital format, such as this one, do not provide a certificate of attendance, as such documentation is only issued for events that include access and participation control by the institution.