Ljubljana, Slovenia, 3. March 2009

The recent humanitarian disaster in Gaza offers the most convincing argumentation as to the justification and urgency of founding the Russell Tribunal for Palestine. The spiral of violence, loss of life, material destruction, breaches of international law and of humanity's fundamental ethical values all postulate an urgent response. They require an endeavour for peace, for the peaceful coexistence of Israelis and Palestinians, and for the stability and development of the Middle East.

The path towards the implementation of the roadmap for peace has been taking too long. This roadmap provides the Palestinian people with their own sovereign state and both peoples with peace. Reaching this objective is a formidable task, but sooner or later this objective will be attained, for international law and the fundamental principles underlying standards of international law give the Palestinian people the right to their own state on their own territory, including the West Bank. The question that remains is what moral and human price will have to be paid by both peoples before this plan becomes reality.

It is of paramount importance that the Palestinians' wrath and hatred be channelled into the construction of their own state and the assumption of responsibility for the prevention of further terrorists acts by terrorists among their ranks. Only the resolute will of a nation to prevent evil from within gives a nation the right to demand the same of others.

The Russell Tribunal for Palestine, through its moral authority, would judge breaches of humanitarian and international law committed unto the Palestinian people as well as acts against humanity and human dignity committed by Palestinian extremists. I do believe that both peoples will accept the Tribunal and its work favourably and with understanding, seeing it as a helpful tool on the long road towards peace, and that both sides will exhibit a willingness to face the Tribunal’s findings and prevent the recurrence of crimes.

Milan Kučan

Former President of the Republic of Slovenia