The humanitarian sector’s commitment to the principle of neutrality has historically positioned it as a cornerstone of impartial intervention. As central as neutrality is to the practice of many humanitarians, it is increasingly coming under scrutiny in the face of impunity and amidst global movements against systemic oppression and calls for greater accountability (the Black Lives Matter movement, decolonisation, ending the occupation).

Nowhere has this tension been more evident than in the debates over Gaza over the past year, where a clear divide has emerged between the rank and file of humanitarian workers pre-dominantly from the Global South who are calling for stronger language and stance on Palestinian rights, and the sector’s decision-makers. While the sector states its commitment to decolonising aid and placing the narratives of affected communities at the centre, neutrality remains a complex and contested concept or ‘tool’: is it essential for enabling operational access, or is it at odds with other principles, such as humanity and justice, and the decolonising aid agenda?

Speakers/participants:

• Moderator: Ayah al Zayat, independent researcher

• Leen Fouad, HPG/ODI Global

• Irwin Loy, The New Humanitarian

• Meg Sattler, Ground Truth Solutions

• Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam