Istanbul: Richard Falk, former UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories and the president of the Gaza Tribunal, emphasized the harsh realities faced by Gaza's survivors, who endure daily hardships including homelessness, hunger, disease, grief, and chaos, alongside ongoing provocations by Israel.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Gaza Tribunal, a global and independent initiative investigating Israel's alleged war crimes, opened its final session in Istanbul on Thursday, where it will deliver its concluding judgment after four days of proceedings. Falk, in the opening of the tribunal's final session, cautioned that Israel has not given up its goal of annexing Palestinian territories to create a so-called "Greater Israel."
Falk expressed concerns that Gazans continue to face instabilities and are undoubtedly haunted by fears that the high-intensity genocide of preceding months could resume at any moment. He highlighted the lack of a mechanism to hold Israel accountable for its crimes and noted that Israel, along with its greatest supporter, the US, has assumed the role of a peace envoy, much to the astonishment of the global community.
Falk stated that now is the time to hold Israel accountable for its crimes in Gaza. He described the tribunal as a tool to expose the realities of Gaza's devastation and a form of social resistance against state propaganda and biased media narratives. Falk criticized the contrasting portrayals of released prisoners by both sides, saying Israel uses such imagery to depict itself as the victim rather than the perpetrator. He also pointed out that the UN system has been largely paralyzed in responding to the crisis.
The current situation in Gaza and the West Bank demands concrete action and determination, according to Falk. He argued that behind Israel's deceptive diplomacy, presented as peace efforts, lies a continuing plan to destroy the Palestinian people and establish a 'Greater Israel.' He emphasized that Israel's repeated cease-fire violations demonstrate its unwillingness to pursue peace, expressing hope that the 'jury of conscience' would reveal not only past but also ongoing realities.
During the tribunal's sessions, witnesses and experts are expected to testify on allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity, including the destruction in Gaza, damage to water, electricity, and infrastructure, as well as the targeted killings of doctors and humanitarian workers. After hearing the evidence, the jury will deliver its conclusions and release a document summarizing its reasoning, which will later be included in a forthcoming book on the tribunal's work.
The Gaza Tribunal was established to examine the legal, political, and ethical dimensions of Israel's genocide in Gaza. Formed as an independent initiative, a court of humanity and conscience, it held its first international session in London after extensive preparation. Led by former UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine Richard Falk, the tribunal's presidency also includes Michael Lynk, Hilal Elver, Raji Sourani, Susan Akram, Ahmet Koroglu, Diana Buttu, Cemil Aydin, and Penny Green.
Among its notable members are Ilan Pappe, Jeff Halper, Ussama Makdisi, Ayhan Citil, Cornel West, Avi Shlaim, Naomi Klein, Asli Bali, Mahmood Mamdani, Craig Mokhiber, Hatem Bazian, Mehmet Karli, Sami Al Arian, Frank Barat, Hassan Jabareen, Willy Mutunga, Victor Kattan, and Victoria Brittain. The tribunal's founding and preparatory meeting took place in London in November 2024, followed by a second session held in May this year in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.