The Initiators and members of the International Organising Committee or the Russell Tribunal on Palestine wish to thank those who are willing to help this important project come through by creating National Support Committees.

The following document is meant to give some information to those who wish to create or to contribute to a NSC. It also lays a minimum of common principles on which we wish to work. Questions left unanswered can be asked directly to the International Organising Committee by using the contact link available on this web site.

Profile

| NSC are ad hoc structures, created with the sole objective to support the holding of a Russell Tribunal on Palestine.

| NSC are made up of organisations with a national dimension and/or of individuals.

| NSC are pluralistic groups. They are open to all, except for those who promote racist or anti-Semite ideologies.

| In case regional initiatives are taken in a country, a national coordination will be promoted.
| Working languages of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine are English and French. Meetings of the NSC may be organised in any other language, but documents and formal meetings must exist in at least one of the two working languages.

Role

Knowing that the IOC is in charge of strategic decisions, NSC have, from the start, the following attributions:

| Contribute to fundraising for the RTP.

| Seek for the support of people, organisations and associations (trade unions, NGOs, Human rights organisations, women’s leagues, youth organisations…) to create a national support list.

| Upon agreement with IOC, seek for the support of people with an international stature and no current political mandate, for the international support Committee (presented in the brochure).

| Ensure popular mobilisation in their country.

| Make interventions in the media or make sure that the media covers the Russell Tribunal on Palestine.

| According to their interest and expertise, and with agreement by the IOC, NSC may contribute to the development of the arguments concerning specific legal issues raised by the Tribunal. For this, working sessions may be organised, with the participation of experts.

| According to their interest and capacity, and with agreement by the IOC, be in charge of the organisation of one of the sessions of the Tribunal, if it takes place in their country.

Relationship NSC/ IOC

| The IOC will acknowledge the NSC.

| When necessary, the NSC mandates a member to participate in the IOC meetings, and to contribute to the coordination of the RTP.

| The NSC informs regularly the IOC of its main activities

| The IOC informs NSC of its main activities and relays information from other NSC.

| The International Organising Committee is in charge of Strategic decisions concerning the Russell tribunal on Palestine. In case of contradicting opinions/strategies between a NSC and the IOC, the latter has the last word.

| Fundraising activities with « classical » donors (Ngos, trade unions, foundations…) are coordinated with the IOC (share information, avoid contacting twice the same donor…)

| Funds collected by NSC are used solely for the realisation of the objectives of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine. Upon consultation with the organising committee, these funds may be used directly by the NSC, for example if it organises an event related to the Tribunal. They may also be transferred to the organising committee for activities coordinated directly by the IOC. Strict accounting rules will be applied. Transparency in the use of funds will be effective between NSC and IOC.

Internal rules  

| Within the limits of the above elements, NSCs take their own decisions as for their functioning modalities.

Main steps for the creation of an NSC

| Send a message to the International Organising Committee (through the contact page of this website) to state your intention to create a National Support Committee in your country. We will be able to tell you whether such an initiative is already under way in your country, with which you can join forces.

| Organise a first meeting with the initiators of the NSC. Discuss the Russell Tribunal on Palestine, how you perceive it and how you think you can contribute to its objectives.

| Send a document to the International Organising Committee, stating your intention to create a National Support Committee, who are its founding members (name and function if individuals, name and main objectives if organisation) and how you propose to organise your work (how you organise the group, who is the contact person, how you intend to dispatch information, to contribute to fundraising…).

| Members of the NSC must sign a copy of this vade mecum and send it to the IOC to attest their understanding and approval of the role and functions of a NSC.

| Upon reception of this document, the IOC will give its approval for the creation of the NSC, which can be officially announced. For more visibility, the NSC can prepare a declaration that will be posted on the website of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine, with its contact details.