Jonathan Kuttab: A Palestinian Lawyer for Human Rights and Nonviolence
A co-founder of the human rights group Al-Haq, Jonathan Kuttab has spent a lifetime arguing for international law and nonviolence as the path to justice in Palestine.
Jonathan Kuttab is a Palestinian human rights lawyer, born in Jerusalem, who has practised law in Palestine, Israel and the United States. In 1979 he co-founded Al-Haq, one of the first Palestinian human rights organisations. It documented violations of international law in the occupied territories and became one of the most respected organisations of its kind in the region.
Law and nonviolence
Kuttab is also a co-founder of Nonviolence International, which promotes nonviolent approaches to conflict worldwide. He has argued throughout his career that Palestinians' strongest assets are international law and nonviolent resistance. In his view, armed struggle undermines both.
He has advised on legal questions arising from the Oslo process and has written and spoken widely on the future of Israel/Palestine. In recent years he has argued for a one-state approach based on equal rights, set out in his short book *Beyond the Two-State Solution*.
Faith and advocacy
A Palestinian Christian, Kuttab has worked with church organisations internationally, including Friends of Sabeel North America, which he has led as executive director. His work bridges legal advocacy and faith-based activism.