The fourth and final Russell Tribunal on Palestine convened in New York City on October 6-7 to hold third parties, like the US and the UN, accountable for alleged Israeli human rights violations. Although the tribunal does not have legal standing, activists believe these sessions can bring greater attention to the governments, international organisations and corporations that abet Israel’s actions towards Palestinians.
Meanwhile, Palestinians on the ground are showing their own displeasure with Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. In September, protesters filled the streets of the West Bank decrying the rising cost of living and what they deem inadequate leadership by the PA and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. With distrust of their own leadership and international bodies, who really speaks for the Palestinian people?
