Richard A. Falk
Advocate for Palestinian Human Rights
Date of Birth:
1930
New York, United States
Place of Birth:
Why Featured?
Richard Falk is renowned for his extensive work as a legal scholar and UN Special Rapporteur, where he focused on the human rights of Palestinians under Israeli occupation, advocating for their rights and international recognition.
Brief bio
Richard A. Falk is an American international law scholar and former UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. Over his career, Falk has been a leading voice in the global discussion on Israel-Palestine, bringing legal and moral scrutiny to the Israeli occupation. His work has been instrumental in framing the occupation within the broader context of international law, and he has been a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights on the global stage.
Major Milestones
Contributions
Born in New York, United States (1930): Raised in an intellectual environment, Falk pursued a career in law, which led to his involvement in international human rights issues.
Appointed UN Special Rapporteur (2008): Falk served as the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestinian human rights from 2008 to 2014, during which time he reported extensively on the impact of Israeli policies on Palestinians.
Published Palestine's Horizon: Toward a Just Peace (2017): In this book, Falk explored the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict and advocated for peaceful resistance and international solidarity with Palestinians.
Active in the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Movement: Falk has been a strong advocate for the BDS movement, viewing it as a legitimate form of non-violent resistance against the occupation.
Ongoing Advocacy and Writings: Even after his official UN role ended, Falk continued to write, speak, and advocate for Palestinian rights, contributing to global discussions on the topic.
Legal Advocacy for Palestinian Rights: Falk's work as UN Special Rapporteur brought critical legal perspectives to the Israeli occupation, documenting human rights abuses and advocating for international accountability...See More
Framing Israel as an Apartheid State: Falk has been a leading voice in labeling Israel's policies as apartheid, drawing parallels between the Israeli occupation and South African apartheid, and pushing for global recognition of these injustices...See More
Publications on Palestine: Through books like Palestine's Horizon, Falk has contributed significantly to the literature on the Israeli occupation of Palestine, offering legal and moral arguments in support of Palestinian self-determination...See More
Support for Non-Violent Resistance: Falk's advocacy for the BDS movement and other forms of non-violent resistance has provided Palestinians with a framework for international solidarity and civil resistance against the occupation.
Global Influence as a Scholar: Falk’s extensive academic work and public speaking have helped shape international understanding of the Israeli occupation, influencing both public opinion and policy discussions worldwide.
Date of Last Update:
September 3, 2024
See similar profiles
Show your support — share their legacy with your friends & followers!