The Gaza Peoples Tribunal: A Global Pursuit of Justice

The Istanbul proceedings marked the third stage of the GPT, following earlier sessions held in London in late 2024 and Sarajevo, Bosnia, in May 2025. These tribunals served as a platform for presenting testimonies and expert analyses from a diverse range of witnesses, legal professionals, and academics. The culmination of the Istanbul session was the release of a powerful Final Statement by the “Jury of Conscience,” a panel of six distinguished scholars and activists from around the globe. This statement, thoroughly discussed by Falk and Cobban, details the tribunal’s conclusions regarding the situation in Gaza.

The esteemed Jurors of Conscience included:

• Prof. Sami Al-Arian
• Prof. Christine Chinkin
• Dr. Ghada Karmi
• Author Kenize Mourad
• Prof. Chandra Muzaffar
• Prof. Biljana Vankovska

A central finding of the GPT, as articulated by Falk, is the determination that Israel has been committing acts of genocide – a conclusion reached not solely in response to the events following October 7, 2023, but as a continuation of a long-standing pattern. Gaza-based legal scholar Dr. Haidar Eid’s testimony highlighted a shift in the nature of this genocide, characterizing it as “incremental genocide” prior to October 7, 2023, escalating to “intensified genocide” afterward. Falk emphasized that this genocide persists even amidst ceasefires, manifesting in the deliberate creation of a “toxic wasteland,” the obstruction of vital aid delivery, and the enduring psychological trauma inflicted upon the Gazan population.

Further elaborating on this ongoing crisis, the GPT released a supplementary paper titled “The Tribunal concludes, but the genocide continues.” (PDF available here.) This document underscores the tribunal’s unwavering stance on the severity of the situation.

The tribunal’s investigation extended beyond direct physical violence, identifying multiple forms of genocide being perpetrated in Gaza, including domicide (the systematic destruction of home and environment), ecocide (the destruction of the ecosystem), and scholasticide (the systematic destruction of education). Critically, the Final Statement also points to the complicity of the United States and other Western governments in these actions.

Falk’s analysis extended to the shortcomings of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, contrasting its inaction with the more principled positions taken by the International Court of Justice and UN Special Rapporteurs. He argued that despite Israel’s military superiority, it is losing the “legitimacy war,” a factor he believes will ultimately prove decisive, drawing parallels to historical anti-colonial struggles. Human Rights Watch has also documented extensive evidence of potential war crimes and human rights violations.

What role does international public opinion play in holding powerful nations accountable for alleged atrocities? And how can the findings of independent tribunals like the GPT influence global policy?

Frequently Asked Questions About the Gaza Peoples Tribunal

1. What is the primary focus of the Gaza Peoples Tribunal? The Gaza Peoples Tribunal is an independent initiative dedicated to investigating and documenting potential violations of international law in Gaza, with a particular focus on allegations of genocide.
2. What were the key findings of the GPT regarding genocide in Gaza? The GPT concluded that Israel has been committing acts of genocide in Gaza, both before and after October 7, 2023, encompassing various forms such as domicide, ecocide, and scholasticide.
3. Who comprised the Gaza Peoples Tribunal’s “Jury of Conscience”? The Jury of Conscience consisted of six internationally recognized scholars and activists: Prof. Sami Al-Arian, Prof. Christine Chinkin, Dr. Ghada Karmi, Author Kenize Mourad, Prof. Chandra Muzaffar, and Prof. Biljana Vankovska.
4. What is the significance of the supplementary paper, “The Tribunal concludes, but the genocide continues”? This paper emphasizes that the GPT’s findings remain relevant and that the situation in Gaza continues to warrant urgent international attention and action.
5. How does Richard Falk view the role of the United Nations in addressing the situation in Gaza? Falk is critical of the UN Security Council’s inaction, contrasting it with the more principled stances of the International Court of Justice and UN Special Rapporteurs.
6. What does Falk mean by Israel losing the “legitimacy war”? Falk argues that despite its military strength, Israel is losing support in the court of public opinion, which he believes will ultimately be a decisive factor in resolving the conflict.