On Saturday, hundreds gathered both in person and online for Philadelphia’s People’s Tribunal focused on the war crimes and genocide in Gaza.
The event took place at The Friends Center in Center City and was co-sponsored by Fridays at Fetterman’s, a grassroots advocacy group that has been holding weekly peace vigils outside of Sen. John Fetterman’s Old City office since December 2023.
The American Friends Service Committee and Friends of Sabeel North America, two international peacemaking organizations, also contributed to the collaborative effort.
Sen. John Fetterman, however, did not provide commentary when requested.
Terry Rumsey, co-coordinator of Fridays at Fetterman’s, expressed that the tribunal was necessary due to the perceived negligence of the U.S. Congress and courts in holding the U.S. government accountable for actions in Gaza.
“We felt that it was up to the people of Philadelphia to hold them accountable,” Rumsey stated.
According to Rumsey, the concept of a people’s tribunal dates back to the Vietnam War, serving as a platform for ordinary citizens to pursue justice when state mechanisms fail.
The tribunal provided a stage for legal experts, human rights attorneys, and witnesses to present testimonies against perceived violations of human rights by state actors.
Citing the Palestinian Health Ministry, the death toll of Palestinians since October 7, 2023, has exceeded 54,000, attributed to the ongoing conflict following the Hamas attack which resulted in about 1,200 Israeli fatalities and 251 hostages.
The situation is dire, with reports of over 15,000 Palestinian children among the dead, alongside ongoing humanitarian crises exacerbated by an Israeli blockade, as noted by the United Nations’ humanitarian chief.
During the tribunal, a 21-year-old woman from Northern Gaza, who identified herself only as Nada for safety reasons, participated via call.
Nada recounted the traumatic experiences of losing family members and friends, the displacement of her family, and the destruction of her neighborhood in Sheik Ajleen.
“I’m talking about people, not about numbers,” she emphasized, highlighting the heavy toll the conflict has taken on her community.
Her call reflected the ongoing violence, as she noted her uncertainty about surviving even for an hour amid continuous bombings, yet she remained hopeful about returning to her nursing studies and graduating someday.
Yusuf Aljamal, who serves as the Gaza coordinator at the American Friends Service Committee and has direct family ties in Gaza, shared his perspective on the tribunal.
He expressed the belief that actions by individuals are essential in influencing governmental policies, stating, “People have been playing a major role in global politics.”
With the ongoing visibility of Gaza within the agenda of global politics, Aljamal urged for continued dialogues on war crimes occurring in Gaza and other regions.
State Rep. Chris Rabb attended the tribunal, marking a rare instance of elected representation at the event.
Among those who shared their testimonies was Sam Kuttab, a Palestinian American who has lived in Philadelphia for 40 years.
He articulated hopes that the tribunal, in conjunction with various protests and grassroots movements, would motivate local and elected officials to take a definitive stance.
Kuttab condemned the deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians, stressing the implications of U.S. support for Israel’s military actions.
He stated, “If you’re OK with killing a child in Gaza, what happens to the streets in Philadelphia?”
This underscores the interconnectedness of global conflicts and local community responses to such tragedies.
In his efforts to promote peace, Kuttab founded Prayers for Peace Alliance, an interfaith coalition of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish members, advocating for an end to conflict.
“It’s about the rule of law, it’s about respect, it’s about democracy, it’s about international law that we helped create as a nation,” he asserted.
His words reflect a broader sentiment among diverse communities in Philadelphia who may lack direct ties to the Israeli-Palestinian situation yet are united in their call for accountability and justice.
Jonathan Kuttab, a human rights attorney and Kuttab’s brother, also addressed the tribunal.
He pointed out the initial intent of the gathering: to fill the void left by governments and courts that fail to act in the face of international law violations.
“Law operates, not because there are judges and police and courts, but because there is a general social understanding,” he stated.
This principle emphasizes a collective responsibility toward upholding ideals against actions like genocide.
The Israeli government has refuted allegations of committing genocidal acts in Gaza.
Nonetheless, numerous Israeli citizens, including relatives of hostages held by Hamas, have publicly voiced their opposition to the current military offensive.
Robin Lasersohn, another co-coordinator of Fridays at Fetterman’s, reiterated the group’s call for an end to the conflict that has devastatingly impacted both Israelis and Palestinians alike.
Lasersohn stated, “It is our sincere belief and hope that by taming Israel’s disproportionate and truly now deranged response to this situation, that a negotiated peace could release Israeli hostages, release Palestinian captives, and bring security and safety and freedom to all of the people together.”
Rumsey concluded with plans to escalate the tribunal’s findings, expressing the intent to bring the case of genocide and war crimes to both national and international courts.
“We’re going to put the case for genocide and war crimes on the record and have it be archived,” she announced.
The goal is to empower ordinary citizens to hold their government officials accountable for complicity in perceived war crimes.
The jury is expected to present their findings from the tribunal at the upcoming Fridays at Fetterman’s peace vigil on June 13.
image source from：https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-gaza-israel-tribunal-fridays-at-fettermans/
