The Gaza Tribunal, people’s tribunal established to investigate and document alleged war crimes in Gaza, conducted a series of strategic meetings and press briefings in Istanbul last week, marking a significant step in its mission to seek accountability and justice.
The initiative, dated February 10, 2025 and led by Chairman Richard Falk, commenced with a comprehensive strategy meeting that brought together diverse stakeholders including civil society organizations, academics, human rights advocates, and activists. The gathering focused on examining current developments in Gaza and Palestine while outlining the Tribunal’s ongoing processes and future directions.
During the press briefing that followed, the Tribunal introduced its mission to the international community, emphasizing its role as a people’s tribunal working to address what it describes as a critical gap in international accountability mechanisms. Executive Secretary Ahmet Köroğlu, along with Steering Committee members Hilal Elver and Penny Green, joined Falk in presenting the initiative’s objectives and scope.
The Tribunal positions itself as a response to what it terms the “breaking point in the historical journey of humanity,” aiming to examine the situation in Gaza through historical, political, philosophical, and legal lenses. While acknowledging the recent International Court of Justice ruling on genocide allegations, the Tribunal emphasizes its complementary role in fostering public accountability and consciousness.
According to the Tribunal’s founding principles, its legitimacy stems from addressing long-standing Palestinian issues, with a particular focus on current events in Gaza. The organization aims to produce a comprehensive document that will serve as a reference for preventing future atrocities worldwide, examining why the international community has struggled to prevent such events and proposing pathways forward.
The Tribunal’s steering committee includes prominent international figures and experts in various fields, reflecting its commitment to providing a thorough and multifaceted examination of the situation in Gaza.
The press briefing underscored the Tribunal’s dual objectives: addressing immediate humanitarian concerns while working toward long-term accountability and prevention of similar situations globally. The initiative represents a civil society response to calls from Gaza residents for international attention and action.
