By Global Solidarity for Peace in Palestine coalition, November 3, 2024
A webinar with, among others:
Raji Sourani, General Director of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights; Coordinator of the Palestinian legal team representing victims before the international Crimimal Court; a member of the South African Legal team in the Genocide case before the International court of justice.
Ann Wright (born 1947) is a retired United States Army colonel and retired U.S. State Department official, known for her outspoken opposition to the Iraq War. Wright was also a passenger on the Challenger 1, which along with the Mavi Marmara, was part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.
Ms. Amal Siam, Director of Women Affairs Center (WAC): Born in the Gaza Strip into a Palestinian refugee family who was uprooted from its hometown during the 1948 Nakba.
Leo Gabriel, a journalist and anthropologist, Leo is part of the Prague Spring II network and a member of the IC of the World Social Forum.
David Swanson is an author, activist, journalist, and radio host. He is executive director of World BEYOND War and campaign coordinator for RootsAction.org.
Kathy Kelly is board president of World BEYOND War. From 2022 to the present, she has co-coordinated the Merchants of Death War Crimes Tribunal.
Online action taken during the webinar is here!
Petition signed during the webinar is here!
Sponsoring organizations:
Videos:
Original Languages:
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English:
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Español:
Text summaries of some of the remarks:
Raji Sorani:
Expression of gratitude for the current efforts in addressing the situation in Gaza.
1. Situation in Northern Gaza:
Discussion of the tragic circumstances faced by residents.
Highlighted double standards in international responses to conflicts, specifically contrasting the Gaza situation with Ukraine.
Noted that while strict sanctions were imposed on Russia, Israel has not faced similar measures.
2. Treatment of Palestinians:
Addressed the perception of Palestinians as second-class citizens in the 21st century.
Mentioned the repeated wars in Gaza, including return marches and their traumatic impact.
3. Rights Under International Law:
Emphasized that Palestinians have the right to invoke international law to protect civilians during conflicts.
Critique of Israeli laws that legalize murder, torture, and collective punishment, reflecting apartheid-like practices.
4. International Criminal Court (ICC) Engagement:
Noted that Prosecutor Karim Khan declined to meet with Palestinian institutions.
The ICC’s refusal to use its authority to prevent genocide was discussed.
South Africa’s cooperation with Palestinians in submitting relevant invitations was highlighted.
5. International Court of Justice (ICJ):
Acknowledged the importance of ICJ decisions but noted the lack of implementation of its provisions.
Mentioned punitive measures by the United States against the ICJ and its judges.
6. Conclusion and Call to Action:
Reaffirmed the belief in the necessity of the rule of law and human dignity.
Urged for the universal application of accepted international standards.
Critiqued the expectation for Palestinians to surrender and accept imposed laws without regard for their rights, emphasizing the need to defend their legitimate demands.
Amal Siam:
1. Humanitarian Situation in Gaza:
It was said that Israel has continued committing crimes for over a year now, with attacks on all parts of the society specifically murder, torture, and deprivation of basic needs.
The consequences, involving children, women, and the elderly are among those affected, with thousands of deaths and injuries reported every day.
2. Shocking Statistics:
As for numbers, more than 11,000 women have been injured and over 17,000 children have been killed.
Women and children are the ones who suffer the most from the war as they make up 70% of the victims.
It was also witnessed that 1,200 families were deleted from the civil register across the areas of the Gaza Strip.
3. Importance of Individuals:
Every woman who dies is not just a number, she is alive and has dreams and life.
4. Suffering of the Displaced:
The suffering of the displaced people in Gaza was a topic of discussion; thus their sufferings, especially the hardships faced by women due to the war, were highlighted.
Women have to shoulder a massive burden of securing their families during the period of the severe lack of required facilities.
5. Health and Social Conditions:
There is no privacy because of the war and displacement which overcrowding in the displacement centers has added to the problem.
Disease outbreaks and insects have increased alongside the lack of medicines.
Due to the feelings of fear and anxiety, miscarriages have become common along with the increase in cesarean deliveries and other serious health issues including hysterectomies.
The root problem of food insecurity and the systematic starvation of the Palestinians by Israel was the subject of the discussion.
It was highlighted that the real need is the immediate cessation of the genocide being perpetrated against the people of Gaza.
6. Call to Action:
It was emphasized that what is urgently needed is an end to the genocide being perpetrated against the people of Gaza.
One Response
What to say? So much. Thanks for the meeting, especially for Amal Syam. The debt we owe to the oppressed, the the destitute…what more to say. I have been concerned and tried in my life to give my all and little to justice in the world. Nonetheless, I feel so powerless. I will say no more, but the meeting was quite moving. Now my next steps.