Mediation Workshop with Palestinians in Cairo, 10-11 December 2025
Last week Forward Thinking convened a two-day workshop in Cairo in conjunction with the Shaf Centre and a group of top-ranked British legal experts. The workshop came at the initiative of the Palestinian Minister of Justice Sharhabeel Al Zaeem, following our Cairo conference hosted under the Arab League at the start of 2025. Our visit was part of the minister’s vision to offer effective dispute resolution to the people of Gaza, pending the return of its legal system to functioning capacity.
Palestinian Authority Justice Minister H. E. Mr. Sharhabeel Al Zaeem introduces the workshop.
The workshop brought together fifteen Palestinian lawyers from Gaza, as well as five engineers and five accountants. Sessions opened and closed with an address from Minister Al Zaeem, who outlined its twofold purpose to promote awareness of mediation amongst Gazan professionals, and to seek their feedback to help design a mediation system and training for Gaza.
Discussions took place against a context in Gaza where legal infrastructure, both human and physical, has been devastated, including the destruction of 150 years of records in Gaza City’s Central Archives. Workshop participants explored how mediation could fit into this context during the rebuilding phase, what kind of disputes might be suitable for mediation, and what specific challenges (and their solutions) arise from such conditions.
On the final day, Ambassador Mohamed Orabi, former Foreign Minister of Egypt and a Member of the Senate, offered an address and presented certificates to the participants. The findings from the workshop will be reported to Minister Al Zaeem, with the hope of launching a full mediation training programme in 2026.
Experienced mediators Lawrence Kershen KC and Baria Ahmed open a discussion on Gaza’s needs regarding mediation.
Palestinian professionals discuss the type of disputes expected in a post-ceasefire Gaza.
Forward Thinking’s Director, Oliver McTernan, former Egyptian Foreign Minister, H. E. Ambassador Mohammed Orabi, and Executive Director of the Shaf Centre, Dr. Zayn El-Sadat during the closing ceremony.