A Thousand Miracles

Description

When the Second World War began, Theodor Meron was a Jewish-born boy of just 9. He survived ghettos, camps and unimaginable atrocities, but lost most of his family, finding sanctuary in British Palestine after the Holocaust. Now, more than eight decades later, Judge Meron is a recognised world leader in both the scholarship and practice of international criminal justice—having served as the president of three UN tribunals, delivering landmark decisions on genocide and war crimes.

This extraordinary memoir revisits Meron’s time as a legal adviser to governments, often swimming against the tide; as a restless diplomat, a boundary-pushing scholar and ultimately a ground-breaking international judge. Meron has given his life to the service of justice. He is famous for his 1967 opinion finding Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank to be illegal under international law, an opinion he issued as a legal adviser to Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. More recently, he has advised the International Criminal Court on potential crimes in the Russia–Ukraine war, and in Israel and Gaza since 2023.

The founding institutions of international justice today face unprecedented threats. Meron’s life story could not be a better timed reminder of the importance of accountability.

Reviews

‘A compelling memoir by one of the world’s most inspiring lawyers and jurists. Judge Meron’s moral courage in the face of personal adversity and mass atrocity crimes challenges us all to do more to serve the cause of justice.’ — Amal Clooney, Barrister, Doughty Street Chambers;  Visiting Professor of Practice in International Law, Oxford University

‘Theodor Meron is one of the world’s greatest living lawyers—the godfather of International Humanitarian Law, he has inspired lawyers everywhere. In this fascinating memoir, he recounts his own incredible journey. But it is love that has sustained Ted. And it is love that emanates from his life’s work and from this extraordinary book about a life truly well-lived.’ — Baroness Helena Kennedy of the Shaws LT KC

 ‘A captivating blend of personal memoir and political history across time and place, by a jurist of the greatest integrity, courage and humanity. Read this to weep and to hope.’ — Philippe Sands, author of East West Street

Author(s)

Judge Theodor Meron CMG was born in Poland. As a child, he survived the Holocaust, but lost his home, most of his family, and years of freedom. In 1945 he emigrated to Mandatory Palestine. He holds law degrees from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Harvard University and the University of Cambridge.