At the final session of the Gaza Tribunal held in Istanbul on Saturday, speakers emphasized the need for more creative and coordinated global solidarity with the Palestinian people. They warned that traditional activism and fragmented legal approaches have not succeeded in stopping what they characterize as Israeli atrocities in Gaza.
During the session themed “Solidarity,” representatives from Norway, Türkiye, and various international legal organizations presented initiatives aimed at enhancing public engagement and establishing stronger accountability mechanisms. Charlotte Qvale, a member of the Oslo Solidarity group, expressed her frustration with conventional protests, stating, “It had become clear that a man-made Israeli catastrophe was taking place in Gaza.” She noted her transition to new forms of activism after feeling that her efforts were ineffective.
Qvale, who is an Icelandic-Norwegian pop artist, has collaborated with Norwegian physician and academic Dr. Mads Gilbert to merge cultural expressions with evidence-based advocacy. “I make music… but I felt that I lacked knowledge. So I joined forces with Mads,” she explained.
Dr. Gilbert, who has documented the humanitarian impact of conflict since the early 1980s in Beirut, emphasized that mere information dissemination is not sufficient for driving change. He stated, “Knowledge alone has no wings and may be left behind in dusty rooms and libraries.” He posed the question, “Could art and science be new allies in voicing and lifting the knowledge to many more people to amplify the resistance of the Palestinian people?”
The duo highlighted public events that combine research, performance, and dialogue, including a forum featuring Palestinian and Israeli scholars, as well as a concert that raised significant funds for the Palestinian Medical Relief Society. “Solidarity strengthens the just struggle in occupied Palestine,” Gilbert noted, adding, “We can all be influential agents of change… because time is a critical factor.”
In a video address to the tribunal, American anti-war activist David Swanson urged governments to utilize the UN General Assembly”s Uniting for Peace mechanism to circumvent the “veto-privileged Security Council” and take decisive actions to halt the conflict in Gaza. Swanson, co-founder and executive director of World BEYOND War, called on states to arrest officials wanted by the International Criminal Court and impose a complete arms embargo against Israel.
He also advocated for ending diplomatic and financial ties with Israel, deploying unarmed civilian protection teams, and promoting global educational efforts to counteract war propaganda. Furthermore, Swanson suggested expelling Israel from the UN and recognizing Palestinian statehood, arguing that implementing all suggested measures could effectively end the genocide.
Metin Dogan from the Anatolian Civil Society Platform remarked that the war in Gaza has united over 2,000 organizations across Türkiye, leading to near-daily actions and humanitarian initiatives. “In other words, Gaza became the unifier of the Ummah,” he asserted, indicating that the situation in Gaza has revealed a greater sense of unity among activists. He emphasized that Turkish activists have organized various initiatives to deliver aid despite the blockade, stating, “We will continue the resistance until Gazans and Palestinians are free.”
Members of the Worldwide Lawyers Association (WOLAS) called for a coordinated legal strategy to confront what they describe as genocide and systematic denial of Palestinian rights. Turkish board member Hasan Basri Bulbul pointed out that international law could be re-purposed to challenge state power. Turkish Vice President of WOLAS Huseyin Disli warned that the legal infrastructure in Gaza is being dismantled, highlighting the loss of over 200 lawyers and the destruction of numerous law offices.
The four-day public session at Istanbul University marked the conclusion of a year-long initiative by international jurists, scholars, and civil society members to document perceived crimes committed by Israel against Palestinians. Richard Falk, former UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, presided over the tribunal, which aims to produce a comprehensive record of what participants label as genocide and systemic violations of international law in Gaza. The tribunal”s jury includes prominent figures who are expected to release their final opinion summarizing findings on these issues.
