London, Nov 12, IRNA – A three-day international tribunal is being held in London next weekend to investigate corporate complicity in Israel’s violations of international law.The investigation, held under the auspices of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine (RTP), puts the spotlight on unethical dealings of eight major multinational companies, including France’s including Alstom-Veolia, Caterpillar of the US and Irish cement manufacturer CBH.
The hearings come after the first session of the RTP, held in Barcelona in March this year, exposed both passive and pro-active EU complicity in supporting Israel, including by way of its Association Agreement with Israel.
Among others, the tribunal panel includes Irish Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Mairead Maguire, former UN envoy to Israel-Palestine John Dugard, Spanish judge Martin Pallin, the former ANC official Ronnie Kasrils, former US Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and British barrister Michael Mansfield.
The first Russell Tribunal, named after the late eminent British philosopher, met in 1967 to investigate war crimes committed in Vietnam. In 1973, it focused on human rights violations in Latin America.
RTP coordinator Frank Barat said that the London session, held at Law Society November 20-22, has a new dimension over the previous tribunals –“empowerment.”
“Not only will it be identifying those complicit in Israel’s illegalities but also ways in which citizens in their respective countries and in Palestine might initiate legal redress,” Barat said.
He also cited legal actions undertaken in Belgium, Greece and Turkey following Israel’s attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and evidence presented to the International Criminal Court.
