The Honorable Edward Meyers '05, joined by fellow U.S. Court of Federal Claims judges, the Honorable Stephen S. Schwartz and the Honorable Matthew Solomson, will speak at the Columbus School of Law on January 29. They will share insights from their experiences as part of a group of U.S. Federal Judges that visited Israel in March 2024.
The week-long trip included 14 judges—8 Circuit Court judges, 3 District Court judges, and 3 Federal Claims judges. The group was equally composed of Jewish and Christian members (Catholic and Protestant) and focused on exploring International Humanitarian Law and the Laws of War.
The trip’s itinerary was packed with discussions on legal challenges faced by Israel in the aftermath of the events of October 7, 2023. These meetings delved into Israel’s legal responses within the framework of both international law and domestic statutes. The group engaged with a range of people, including civilian and military attorneys (some of whom are litigating at the International Court of Justice in a case brought by South Africa), members of Israel’s Supreme Court, the Speaker of the Knesset, and senior military leaders.
Reflecting on the experience, Meyers shared: “We also met with former hostages and relatives of those still in captivity to hear their stories and understand how they are coping. Beyond our conversations with Israeli officials, we also met with the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission (who was the highest-ranking U.S. official in Israel on October 7) and a Palestinian peace activist to discuss potential paths to peace.”
The delegation also visited areas heavily affected by the violence, including Kibbutz Be’eri and the site of the Nova Music Festival. They viewed an IDF-produced video compilation made from security cameras, go-pro footage, and cellphone recordings, which documented the horrific events of October 7.
This trip offered a profound insight into the complexities of law, conflict, and resilience, providing the judges with a deeper understanding of the legal and humanitarian challenges in the region.
Click here to register for the discussion in the Walter A. Slowinski Courtroom at the Columbus School of Law on January 29, 2025.
