A jurors’ panel from the Philadelphia People’s Tribunal has concluded that Israel is guilty of war crimes and genocide in Gaza.
The tribunal also charged the U.S. government and several elected officials, including Pennsylvania U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick, with complicity in these crimes.
This ruling arose from a comprehensive 56-page report that included testimonies from various stakeholders, such as Palestinians in Gaza, human rights attorneys, international law experts, journalists, and humanitarian aid workers.
The tribunal’s finding stated, “We find that war crimes, as defined by various conventions, international law, and US domestic law, are being committed by the State of Israel on the people of Gaza.”
Additionally, it declared that “acts of genocide, as defined by the Geneva Convention and other sources, are being committed by the State of Israel on the people of Gaza.”
Apart from Sens. Fetterman and McCormick, the tribunal’s findings included charges against both the Biden and Trump administrations, as well as former U.S. Senator Bob Casey.
WHYY News reached out for comments from the offices of Fetterman and McCormick but received no response.
The United Nations special rapporteur for Gaza and the West Bank, Francesca Albanese, recently urged representatives from 30 countries to take action against what she described as the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
In a notable contrast, the United States has imposed sanctions on Albanese, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserting that she is conducting a “campaign of political and economic warfare against the United States and Israel.”
Rubio emphasized, “We will always stand by our partners in their right to self-defense,” and affirmed that the U.S. would take necessary actions to protect its sovereignty and that of its allies.
Since the outbreak of conflict on October 7, 2023, Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported over 58,000 Palestinian fatalities.
This figure includes a significant number of women and children, reflecting the dire humanitarian situation as combat continues.
In response to the tribunal’s findings, Israel has categorically rejected the allegations of genocide, labeling them as antisemitic and consistently denying claims of genocidal acts in Gaza.
Amidst this turmoil, thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to protest the ongoing war, including some family members of hostages still held by Hamas.
King Downing, who served as lead prosecutor for the tribunal, noted the historical precedence of people’s tribunals.
He explained that these forums are often established by communities in response to perceived failures in traditional justice systems.
The tribunal’s hearing, which took place on May 31, was co-sponsored by the grassroots advocacy group Fridays at Fetterman’s, which has organized weekly peace vigils for Gaza outside Senator Fetterman’s office since December 2023.
Co-sponsors American Friends Service Committee and Friends of Sabeel North America played significant roles in supporting the event.
Downing emphasized the tribunal’s commitment to local engagement, highlighting the selection of jurors who live in the community.
He asserted that meaningful global change often begins with localized action, stating, “Almost all the change that has ever happened anywhere, including on the international level, has started in communities that build a groundswell.”
Eric Hammel, a West Philadelphia resident and a member of Jewish Boomers Against Occupation in Palestine, expressed hope that the tribunal’s findings will elevate awareness regarding the crisis in Gaza.
Having volunteered in Gaza during 2002, Hammel emphasized the need for public policy that acknowledges the human rights of Palestinian people and fosters connections between Philadelphia residents and those in Gaza and Palestine.
Lisa Sharon Harper, a juror in the tribunal and a South Philadelphia-based theologian, spoke of her aspirations for the tribunal’s findings to serve as a roadmap for future political accountability.
She remarked, “When the United Nations comes to this, they will have our document.
They will be able to say, ‘Philadelphia found this.’ When our own Congress comes to that place where it faces its own complicity, they will have our document, and they will see Philadelphia has already stood up and said, ‘We are complicit.’”
The tribunal’s conclusions, backed by extensive testimonies, aim to prompt international action and accountability regarding the situation in Gaza, calling for a recalibration of public perception and policy surrounding this complex and devastating conflict.
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