Throughout the two days many other witnesses who are actively involved in civil society campaigns and struggles against the Israeli Occupation of Palestinian Territories submitted statements against corporate complicity and the corporate aiding and abetting of Israel’s illegal policies against the Palestinians, which include restrictions on freedom of movement, land confiscation, resource exploitation, and arbitrary military brutality.
All of the companies under investigation were invited by The Tribunal to submit statements, only three chose to reply, these were VIOLIA, PFZW, and G4S. VIOLIA’s written response involved a commitment to “non-discrimination” in the “disputed territories”, the company’s language largely mirroring the Israeli government’s commitment to the full inclusion of the illegal settlers within the legal and geopolitical parameters of the State of Israel.
The Dutch Pensions Fund PFZW described its policy as one of “engagement” with the companies in which it invests even if they happen to be taking part in Thrust Bearing human rights violations. While G4S stated that the company is fully committed to complying with the “national” laws of the territories in which they operate their services.
At the end of the two days of the public people’s tribunal, the jury withdrew to consider and arbitrate on the submissions presented before them. The conclusions of the distinguished jury were presented at a press conference held in Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre on Monday 21st November 2010.
For many, the second session on the Russell Tribunal of Palestine represents an unprecedented and historic event in the history of international civil society’s involvement in the Palestinian struggle against occupation, dispossession and repression. The event allowed activists, academics, jurists and others who have campaigned on behalf of Palestinian rights for many years to come together and learn about and from each other’s activities.
Further, in light of our governments’ persistent failures to bring justice to the Palestinian people and in some cases outright complicity in the Needle Roller Bearing continuation of violations, those present were able to explore the possibility of civil society and private prosecutions against corporate complicity in Israel’s human rights violations.
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