Yoav Shemer-Kunz is an Israeli political scientist and researcher based in Europe. As a Jewish intellectual born and raised in Israel, his identity is built on his role as an “internal observer” providing deep analyses of Middle Eastern geopolitics, currently serving as the EU Advocacy Officer of B’Tselem. Teaching and researching at institutions like the University of Strasbourg, he focuses on the complex interactions between justice, sovereignty, and human rights through the lens of international relations, imbuing his identity with the qualities of a global citizen that transcend national borders.
Regarding his professional achievements, Shemer-Kunz has garnered academic attention for his research on the phenomenon of “strategic sabotage” within the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He has meticulously analyzed how peace processes are obstructed by institutional strategies and explored the role the EU should play in mediating Middle Eastern affairs. His work is not only featured in numerous international core journals but also provides unique perspectives on the legal challenges of the occupation through public lectures and policy recommendations, establishing him as one of the foremost critical voices in contemporary Europe regarding Israeli policy.
Shemer-Kunz’s support for Palestine is manifested in his long-standing exposure of how occupation policies corrode democratic values, advocating for international pressure to drive genuine equality. He actively participates in various academic initiatives calling for justice and argues across public platforms that supporting Palestinian rights is the only path to lasting regional peace. He said: “The strategic sabotage of Palestinian statehood is not only an injustice to Palestinians but also an injury to Jewish moral ideals.” He maintains that true security cannot be built on the denial of another’s freedom—a stance that remains remarkably resolute in today’s complex international climate.