In a press conference held in Istanbul on August 18, 2025, American jurist and former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Palestine, Richard Falk, accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinian people and called for urgent action by the UN General Assembly. Falk criticized the complicity of Western democracies and compared the situation to South African apartheid, urging sanctions and embargoes against Israel.
Falk urged governments to bypass the UN Security Council, where the United States wields veto power in favor of Israel, and to turn directly to the General Assembly. He highlighted legal mechanisms available for such action, including the 1950 “Uniting for Peace” resolution and the “Responsibility to Protect” principle adopted in 2005.
The Gaza Tribunal, composed of scholars, jurists, and human rights defenders, has already held sessions in London and Sarajevo, formally accusing Israel of genocide, war crimes, and apartheid. The ongoing war in Gaza has resulted in at least 62,064 deaths and 156,573 injuries among Palestinians.
The Tribunal’s emergency declaration, titled “Time to Act,” is set to be presented to the UN General Assembly in September. A final hearing in Istanbul is planned for October, where a moral verdict will be issued based on testimonies collected since the Tribunal’s founding in 2024.
Falk also condemned attempts to silence critical voices through sanctions against human rights rapporteurs and the assassination of journalists, including Anas al-Sharif and staff from the Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera on August 10. He emphasized that part of the Tribunal’s work is to uphold the truth in the face of these crimes.
The situation in Gaza continues to draw international attention, with protests worldwide demanding an end to the violence and accountability for those responsible. The global community faces a pivotal moment to act in defense of human rights and justice.
Source: Anadolu Agency (AA)
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