GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Many Palestinians take their conflicts and long-standing disputes to tribal courts, which are known for moving quickly to issue rulings. The official court system generally takes much longer, sometimes years, to decide on a case.

Community elders, dignitaries and the heads of families occupy an informal but prominent position in the tribal judiciary system, which settles disputes between individuals and families in cases and complaints ranging from verbal abuse to murder.

In 1979, the Palestinian National Council in Amman established the General Directorate of Tribal Affairs and Conciliation. In 2005, the directorate was placed under the Palestinian Ministry of Interior to coordinate between the ministry and the members of the tribal judiciary. 

Tribal courts include arbitrators, who have extensive knowledge of tribal laws and play the role of judge. An elder represents a family that is party to the conflict, and conciliators attempt to resolve the dispute peacefully and prevent the parties from seeking revenge. Each family holds elections on a regular basis to choose an elder to represent them in court if needed.