Gaza Tribunal opens in Istanbul to examine Israel's war crimes in Gaza

A landmark people's tribunal known as The Gaza Tribunal has opened in Istanbul, bringing together prominent activists, academics, journalists, and civil society figures for four days of hearings aimed at examining evidence and testimonies of Israel's war crimes and genocide in Gaza.

Taking place at Istanbul University's Cemil Birsel Conference Hall and chaired by former UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine Professor Richard Falk, the tribunal also features legal assessments by international human rights experts evaluating the submitted evidence.

The tribunal marks the first time that Israel's genocide in Gaza is being publicly tried in what has been termed a "court of global conscience", a forum established through a civil initiative intended to expose atrocities and strengthen the pursuit of international justice.

Over the coming days, the jury, composed of legal and moral authorities including Kenzie Mourad, a member of the Ottoman royal family; Palestinian academic Ghada Karmi; and international law professor Christine Chinkin, will hear from survivors, journalists, and scholars before delivering a final judgment on 26 October and publishing a comprehensive report detailing their findings and conclusions.

In his opening address, Falk said the purpose of the tribunal was to offer the world "a truthful account of the atrocities carried out against Palestinians in Gaza over the past two years", describing it as "an act of resistance and a call to action on behalf of justice and durable peace, grounded in Palestinian participation, which has long been denied".

He praised the United Nations for its continued efforts and emphasised that the tribunal serves a crucial role in what he called the ongoing "legitimacy war", urging for stronger global action to halt Israel’s offensive on Gaza and to address the escalating humanitarian catastrophe.

"Present conditions in Gaza and the (occupied) West Bank require more than words or symbolic politics," Falk said, adding that "they require action and commitment. Now is the time to insist on Israeli accountability for the crime of crimes".

While its final verdict will not be legally binding, the tribunal aims to create a detailed and credible record of Israel's genocide in Gaza, accompanied by legal and moral recommendations intended to guide future accountability efforts.

Israel's war on Gaza, which has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians since October 2023 and created famine conditions through the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid, continues to be described by leading human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, as a genocide.