Istanbul: The opening of the Gaza Tribunal's final session, titled Welcome and Grounding, featured on Thursday a series of powerful statements from global figures, both in-person and remotely, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and justice for Palestinians.

According to Anadolu Agency, Raji Sourani, a Palestinian lawyer based in the Gaza Strip and the director of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, highlighted the unprecedented challenges facing international justice mechanisms in addressing the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Sourani noted the significant pressures on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and described the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasizing the lack of peace without the recognition of Palestinian self-determination.

Renowned Indian author Arundhati Roy contributed to the session through a written statement, condemning what she described as a "live-stream genocide" of Palestinians by Israel, with a staggering death toll and questioning the accountability of powerful nations like the US and European governments in the conflict.

American actress Marcia Cross, appearing via video, underscored the extensive destruction in Gaza and the failures of international institutions to intervene. She described the tribunal as a crucial effort in documenting these crimes and criticized the international community for its inaction.

US-based Islamic scholar and civil rights activist Omer Suleiman emphasized the importance of preserving the narrative of the Palestinian people for future generations and expressed optimism about achieving justice through collective action.

English musician and activist Roger Waters called the tribunal a moral imperative, urging global solidarity in confronting oppression and raising awareness about the plight of Palestinians.

The four-day public session, held at Istanbul University, is the culmination of a year-long effort by international jurists, scholars, and civil society figures to document alleged crimes against Palestinians. The tribunal, presided over by Richard Falk, former UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, aims to produce a comprehensive 'people's record' of what participants describe as genocide, apartheid, and systemic violations of international law in Gaza. The jury of conscience includes prominent figures such as Kenize Mourad, Christine Chinkin, Chandra Muzaffar, Ghada Karmi, Sami Al-Arian, and Biljana Vankovska.