BRUSSELS, September 25, 2014 – (WAFA) – The Russell Tribunal on Palestine (RToP) Thursday demanded the international community to end the Israeli occupation and enable the Palestinians to exercise their right to self-determination.

 The RToP made this call during a press conference marking the end of an extraordinary session on the crimes that were committed by Israel during the latest onslaught on the Gaza Strip, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of genocide. The conference was attended by Palestinian Ambassador to the European Union (EU) Laila Shahid.

 The RToP called for prosecuting Israel for its crimes that the tribunal listened to and examined based on related testimonies and reports.

 In their presentations, the tribunal members and the EU called for the imposition of a comprehensive arms embargo against Israel and the immediate recognition of the State of Palestine.

 The RToP called the State of Palestine to accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and urged the international community to intensify boycott campaigns against Israel.

The RToP was held on Wednesday and Thursday September 24 and 25. The jury was composed of Michael Mansfield QC, John Dugard, Vandana Shiva, Christiane Hessel, Richard Falk, Ahdaf Soueif, Ken Loach, Paul Laverty, Roger Waters, Ronnie Kasrils, Radhia Nasraoui and Miguel Angel Estrella. They listened to testimonies from Paul Behrens, Desmond Travers, David Sheen, Max Blumenthal, Eran Efrati, Mads Gilbert, Mohammed Abou-Arab, Mads Gilbert, Paul Mason, Martin Lejeune, Mohammed Omer, Raji Sourani, Ashraf Mashharawi, Ivan Karakashian, Agnes Bertrand and Michael Deas.

Following the session, the jury was received at the European parliament and addressed a message to the UN General Assembly for its reopening.

 K.F./T.R.