Contribution short abstract:

This intervention suggests that anthropology, science with tradition of accountable roles for both anthropologist and its work, can contribute to the development of similar practices in the humanitarian field, critically approaching applied ethics - using the example of the current Gaza crisis.

Contribution long abstract:

While the purpose of humanitarian and anthropological practices differ, both are framed by ethical standards that serve at times as red lines or as validation. Applying such ethical norths depends largely on interpretation, being especially relevant when dilemmas arise. This paper proposes that exchanges between humanitarism and anthropology may support a constructive approach to ethical dilemmas face by the former. I suggest that anthropological research, surrounded by stark discussions of method, can positively influence humanitarism, field of praxis with undeniable moral backdrop and often using ethical principles as means for an end. Anthropologists acknowledge their choices to affect or even shape the discussion produced by its practice, which inevitably holds an accountable role for the anthropologist and its work. Conversely, humanitarism has the tradition of responding to ethical challenges by reiterating strict principles and focusing on the deliverables, in such way that there’s little debate on whether such instrumentalization of applied ethics is finally detrimental to the very values humanitarism wishes to uphold. In face of the acute and catastrophic situation lived by the Palestinians in Gaza, I argue that the engaged practice of anthropological research should be learned by humanitarians, favouring honest ethical discussions about how ways of intervening influence the results of the work. Amidst indiscriminate killing, intentional starvation and other violations, I raise the need to critically approach applied ethics in humanitarian practice, not to place blame or to destitute humanitarian practice of its value, but to instigate accountable humanitarism.