Istanbul: The Gaza Tribunal's final session took place at Istanbul University, where survivors and scholars presented testimonies accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians and undermining international law.
According to Anadolu Agency, genocide survivor Haider Eid shared his personal experiences of multiple displacements and the destruction of his community. He argued that the devastation in Gaza is a result of deliberate policies rather than unintended consequences, describing the situation as 'an absolute evil.'
Eid detailed the loss of 54 relatives, 39 colleagues from Al-Aqsa University, and more than 280 students. He emphasized the systematic annihilation of Gaza's population and infrastructure, likening the current devastation to 17 times the combined destruction from previous Israeli wars against Gaza since 2008. Tracing the roots of the conflict to the Nakba of 1948, Eid described Israel as a colonial state founded on the extermination or displacement of the indigenous population.
Following Eid's testimony, Noura Erakat, a Palestinian human rights attorney, addressed the tribunal remotely, discussing the colonial genocide of Palestinians. She highlighted the historical operations by Zionist militias and the Israeli army that targeted Palestinians, destroying over 500 villages and displacing 80% of the native population. Erakat criticized the international community's complicity and the failure of international legal frameworks to address the colonial dimensions of genocide.
Erakat also condemned the US for providing political cover for Israel, citing vetoes at the UN and support for Prime Minister Netanyahu. She warned of the broader implications of Gaza's devastation on the future of international law and order.
Additional testimonies included accounts of targeted civilian attacks, sexual violence, and mass detentions. Radwan Abu Muammar recounted a deadly attack on a civilian home in Khan Younis, while Samer Abu Foura and Mahmoud Al-Khatib described scenes of humiliation and mass executions at the Gaza border. Witnesses also reported systematic targeting of hospitals and medical personnel.
The four-day session at Istanbul University marked the culmination of a year-long effort by international jurists and scholars to document alleged crimes against Palestinians. Presided over by Richard Falk, the tribunal aims to produce a comprehensive record of genocide, apartheid, and systemic violations of international law in Gaza. The event featured expert panels examining the historical and political foundations of the conflict and a jury of conscience comprising notable figures from various fields.