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Writers Articles And Opinions |
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28 November 2010 By Stephen
Lendman
Launched in March 2009, "The
Russell Tribunal on Palestine (RTP) seeks to reaffirm
the primacy of international law as the (way to
settle) the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." Its mandate
focuses on "the enunciation of law by authoritative
bodies," including International Court of Justice (ICJ)
rulings and dozens of UN resolutions on Palestine with
regard to binding international law.
RTP follows in the tradition of
the BRussell Tribunal, named after noted philosopher,
mathematician, and anti-war/anti-imperialism activist
Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970). Established in 1967 to
investigate Vietnam war crimes, RTP's mandate is
similar, its Tribunals collecting and presenting
indictable evidence against Israel, complicit states,
and corporate war profiteers.
An earlier article on its
Barcelona Session can be accessed through the
following link:
http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2010/03/russell-tribunal-on-palestine-barcelona.html
RTP's November
20-21 London Session
Before convening, RTP listed
issues to be addressed, including:
(1) corporate involvement in
Occupied Palestine, including illegal settlement
activities;
(2) foreign banks and other
financial institutions illegally financing and
profiting from occupation and settlement activities;
(3) foreign and Israeli companies
supplying products and services in Occupied Palestine;
in addition, Israeli ones exporting agricultural
produce and other products from settlements and West
Bank industrial zones; and
(4) foreign corporations selling
arms and "the infrastructure of war, occupation,
colonisation, and repression" in Occupied Palestine;
in addition, Israeli companies that export arms,
munitions, repressive hardware or knowledge globally.
As in Barcelona, distinguished
jurors were assembled, their names and credentials
listed below. In addition, expert witnesses were
invited to give testimony.
A public statement followed its
conclusion, RTP noting (in advance) the failure thus
far to act on the Goldstone Report, adding that "a
people's tribunal held in the full glare of publicity
will serve to fill an apparent void in the
international legal system." Perhaps also galvanize
future action.
Proceeding like a court case, RTP
"heard compelling evidence of corporate complicity in
Israeli violations of international law, relating
to:"
(1) supplying arms for illegal
conflicts;
(2) building and maintaining
Israel's Separation Wall, in violation of the
International Court of Justice's (ICJ) 2004 ruling,
calling it illegal, ordering completed sections
dismantled, and "all legislative and regulatory acts
relating thereto" repealed or rendered "ineffective
forthwith;"
The ICJ also mandated reparations
for the "requisition and destruction of homes,
businesses, and agricultural holdings (and) to return
the land, orchards, olive groves, and other immovable
property seized," obligating member states to reject
the illegal construction and demand Israel comply with
international law.
Israel spurned the ruling, the
way it treats all international law, operating
roguishly out-of-control, just like its Washington
paymaster partner.
(3) "Establishing, maintaining
and providing services, especially financial (ones) to
illegal settlements, all of which have occurred in the
context of an illegal occupation of Palestinian
territory."
RTP said witnesses provided clear
evidence of corporate culpability, exposing them "to
legal liability for very serious violations of
international human rights and humanitarian law."
RTP's March Barcelona Session
also found EU member states complicit in Israeli
lawlessness, including the illegal occupation,
settlements, Separation Wall, Gaza siege, and repeated
acts of aggression against Palestinian civilians and
non-military targets, Cast Lead the clearest example.
RTP jurors were unequivocal
saying "the international community is clearly in
agreement that Israel is in flagrant disregard of its
international obligations," adding that letting it
continue is unacceptable. Israel's impunity, however,
"set(s) it apart from the rest of the international
community." Complicit corporations are just as
culpable.
The London Session considered the
following questions:
(1) What laws have corporations
violated?
(2) What legal consequences do
they face?
(3) What remedies are available,
and what obligations do member states have to enforce
them?
In early December, RTP's full
London findings will be presented, its interim
statement noting "the failure of states" to comply
with their international law obligations. As a result,
civil society acts instead, seeking vitally needed
change. The growing boycott, divestment and sanctions
(BDS) movement stands out for its importance, applying
economic, political and cultural pressure on Israel to
comply, or face painful consequences.
Corporations are also criminally
involved. They can, and have been "the subject of
citizen's movements that the RTP received evidence
about, including:"
-- boycotts;
-- shareholders holding them
accountable;
-- divestments by pension funds;
and
-- various actions highlighting
their complicity.
A previous article addressed the
issue, accessed through the following link:
http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2010/02/israeli-occupation-supportive-companies.html
Civil society is doing plenty.
It's time for states to do their part.
RTP invited 12 corporations and
EU nations to London. All declined. Two additional
sessions will keep highlighting their lawlessness.
RTP's conclusions show at least some are criminally
liable, including the following:
(1) G4S, a British/Danish
corporation supplying West Bank checkpoints with
scanning equipment and full body scanners;
(2) Elbit Systems, an Israeli
company producing weapons technology, engines, and
drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - UAVs) for the IDF
and global militaries;
(3) Caterpillar, producing
modified military D9 bulldozers, used to demolish
homes and villages, build the Separation Wall, and aid
in urban warfare; in all cases, property is illegally
destroyed and civilian deaths and injuries result;
(4) Cement Roadstone Holdings, an
Irish corporation owning 25% of Mashav Initiative and
Development Ltd, an Israeli company owner of Nesher
Israel Cement Enterprises Ltd; it supplies 75 - 90% of
all cement Israel uses in Occupied Palestine,
including for settlement construction and the
Separation Wall;
(5) Dexia, a Franco/Belgian
company financing West Bank settlements through its
Dexia Israel Public Finance Ltd;
(6) Veolia Transport, a French
corporation involved in building East Jerusalem's
light railway and operating bus services to Israeli
settlements; and
(7) Carmel Agrexco, an Israeli
company exporting oranges, olives, avocados, and other
West Bank settlement produce.
G4S, Elbit Systems and
Caterpillar actually promote their equipment usage
during Cast Lead, contributing to massive destruction,
loss of life, and serious injuries.
The evidence heard may be used in
civil damage suits. It also shows complicity in crimes
of war and against humanity, as well as pillaging
natural resources. The Tribunal's full conclusions
will offer detailed examples of potential litigation,
as well as "highlight(ing) and encourag(ing) civil
society/BDS actions that can achieve corporate
accountability."
Two more Tribunals are planned.
The third 2011 one in South Africa will address the
applicability of Israeli apartheid. After the fourth
session in America, later in the year, full
conclusions and a final judgment will be published.
RTP Jurors
(1) Stephane Hessel, Ambassador
of France, Honorary President of the RTP, France;
(2) Northern Ireland's Mairead
Corrigan Maguire, 1976 Nobel Peace Laureate, a rare
worthy recipient;
(3) South Africa's John Dugard,
Professor of International Law and former UN Special
Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Palestinian
Territories;
(4) Lord Anthony Gifford QC, UK
barrister and Jamaican attorney at law;
(5) South Africa's Ronald Kasrils,
writer, activist and former government minister;
(6) Britain's Michael Mansfield,
barrister and President of the Haldane Society of
Socialist Lawyers;
(7) Spain's Jose Antonio Martin
Pallin, emeritus judge, Chamber II, Supreme Court;
and
(8) America's Cynthia McKinney,
former congressional member and 2008 Green party
presidential candidate.
Committed for peace, equity and
justice, RTP provides heroic support for Palestine.
More information can be found on its web site,
accessed through the following link:
http://www.russelltribunalonpalestine.com/en/
Stephen Lendman lives in
Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and
listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished
guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the
Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central
time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs
are archived for easy listening.
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.
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