Istanbul: The concluding session of the Gaza Tribunal took place at Istanbul University's Prof. Dr. Cemil Birsel Conference Hall. The event, organized by the tribunal's president and former UN special rapporteur on Palestine, Prof. Dr. Richard Falk, drew academics, human rights defenders, media representatives, and members of civil society organizations.
According to Anadolu Agency, Prof. Dr. Richard Falk highlighted the tribunal's dual mission to expose the genocide in Gaza over the past two years and address the flawed methods shaping the enclave's future favoring a pro-Israeli stance. Falk accused Israel of pursuing its unchanged objective of establishing a 'Greater Israel' by integrating East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza into its territorial sovereignty. The tribunal, he noted, aims to document Palestinian suffering and challenge diplomatic strategies that legitimize domination.
Falk advocated for civil-society solidarity through initiatives like flotillas, UN investigations, and enforcement of international court rulings. He mentioned that the Palestinian struggle for self-determination is being undermined by what he termed 'Trump diplomacy,' which stems from ultimatums rather than negotiations. He criticized the ceasefire arrangement which, according to him, rewards Israel for its actions and further punishes Palestinians despite their hardships.
Falk described the Palestinian conflict as a "legitimacy war," a struggle over legality and morality reminiscent of anti-colonial movements since World War II. He stressed the tribunal's goal to bolster international pressure for a fair resolution and support the Palestinian cause in this symbolic contest.
In addressing the current ceasefire, Falk characterized it as a 'bargain between Israel and the United States,' allowing the latter to claim credit for ending the conflict while enabling Israel to act freely. He criticized the arrangement, suggesting it was a colonial approach disguised as a peace process, likening it to post-World War II scenarios that were morally and politically untenable.
Falk, who also served as the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Palestinian territories, argued that the ceasefire allows Israel to erase Palestinian political identity while evading responsibility for Gaza's reconstruction. He also pointed out the inherent flaws in the UN's structure, which he claimed was designed to protect the strategic interests of its permanent Security Council members, thus creating enforcement and accountability gaps that hinder international rulings on Gaza.
He asserted that Israel is unwilling to create a viable Palestinian state and is instead focused on achieving 'Greater Israel,' which involves eliminating Palestinian territorial or political identity. Falk emphasized the strategic importance of Gaza, citing natural resources and potential infrastructure developments that elevate its significance for both Israel and the West.
The Gaza People's Tribunal, inspired by past 'people's tribunals' like the Russell Tribunal on Vietnam, operates on the belief that governments and international bodies have failed to address injustices. Falk described it as a 'jury of conscience,' acknowledging its non-neutral stance and its role as a metaphor for global challenges.
Falk concluded by critiquing the West's 'moral hypocrisy' regarding the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, suggesting that international law is selectively applied based on strategic alliances. He accused the US and Europe of condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine while ignoring or supporting Israel's actions in Gaza through military and diplomatic means, highlighting an opportunistic use of international law as state propaganda.