Istanbul: The Gaza Tribunal, an independent international initiative investigating Israeli war crimes in Gaza, is set to hold its final session in Istanbul from Oct. 23 to 26. The tribunal is chaired by Richard Falk, a former UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine, and will gather academics, human rights advocates, journalists, and civil society representatives at Istanbul University's Cemil Birsel Conference Hall.
According to Anadolu Agency, over the course of four days, participants will listen to testimonies from survivors, medical professionals, and experts. International legal scholars will evaluate evidence of war crimes and human rights violations in Gaza. The tribunal's primary objectives are to document atrocities, raise global awareness, and identify those responsible for crimes committed in the besieged enclave.
The steering committee for the tribunal includes notable figures such as former UN rapporteurs Michael Lynk and Hilal Elver, along with legal and rights experts Penny Green, Raji Sourani, Craig Mokhiber, and Wesam Ahmed. Jury members feature French journalist and author Kenize Mourad, Palestinian academic Ghada Karmi, and international law professor Christine Chinkin.
The panel is expected to announce its final judgment on Oct. 26. Throughout the week, parallel events will focus on testimonies, documentation, and analyses related to the Gaza conflict. Established as a global civil society initiative, the Gaza Tribunal endeavors to address the Palestinian issue through various perspectives, including historical, political, philosophical, and legal, while advocating for accountability and justice.