GUE/NGL MEP Marisa Matias has echoed calls from the jury and the witnesses of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine (RToP) for the EU to adopt restrictive measures against Israel, specifically a suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement, a comprehensive arms embargo, and to advocate and act for the implementation of the International Court of Justice recommendations in its 2004 Advisory Opinion on the legality of the Wall.

Marisa Matias said: “This important Tribunal is about getting the law and the facts out there for the world to hear. It is giving a voice to those who have not been heard. The Tribunal has shown that war crimes are being committed, and it is nothing short of the extermination of Palestinian people. This is genocide, as defined by international law.”

GUE/NGL MEP Martina Anderson said: “What we've heard at the Tribunal was heartfelt and insightful. It was shocking to hear about the IDF Hannibal Directive and other inhumane tactics used by Israelis in Gaza this summer. Not to mention the impunity of Israeli cultural, political, academic and religious leaders in inciting hatred of Palestinians.”

RToP is a people’s tribunal that was set up in 2009 to examine the role and complicity of third parties (governments, institutions and corporations) in violations of international law committed by Israel against the Palestinian people. It held a special session this week in Brussels to investigate Israel's recent crimes in Gaza during its 'Operation Protective Edge'.

Some members of the jury and witnesses from the tribunal were present in the European Parliament this afternoon to meet MEPs and present the Tribunal's findings.

Jury members including Director Ken Loach, Indian activist Vandana Shiva, and human rights lawyer Michael Mansfield addressed the European Parliament session, as did witnesses such as Israeli journalist David Sheen, American journalist Max Blumenthal, and Palestinian journalist Mohamed Omer. Musician Roger Waters closed the hearing.

Read the Tribunal's findings.

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
European United Left / Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group