Gabor Rona

Gabor Rona, director of the Law and Armed Conflict Project and former Red Cross legal advisor, explains how attacks on power and desalination plants run up against international humanitarian law. He discusses distinctions between intentional and accidental civilian harm. He also covers why one side's violations do not legalize retaliation and outlines possible legal paths for accountability.

Gabor Rona, director of Cardozo’s Law and Armed Conflict Project and former Red Cross legal advisor. He explains how strikes on desalination and other civilian infrastructure raise legal alarms. He distinguishes intentional from accidental attacks. He discusses why past violations do not justify retaliation and what accountability could look like.

In this engaging discussion, Gabor Rona, a Professor of Practice at Cardozo Law specializing in international humanitarian law, and Natalie Orpett, Executive Editor at Lawfare with expertise in national security law, dissect the complex intersection of armed conflict laws and the Genocide Convention. They explore whether legal compliance can defend against genocide accusations, particularly in light of Israel's actions in Gaza. The conversation delves into the nuances of military necessity, the role of AI in accountability, and the pressing implications for future legal accountability in wartime conduct.