London– The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) inaugurated its landmark international conference, Naming Genocide: The Global Responsibility for Gaza, with two opening addresses. These speeches established a firm foundation and set a resolute tone for the discussions that unfolded throughout the day. In a day marked by impassioned calls for accountability and global solidarity, the opening session laid the groundwork for legal experts, human rights advocates, and media professionals to engage in critical dialogue aimed at breaking the cycle of impunity in Gaza.

A Call to Name Genocide and Demand Accountability
Haya Natsheh, PR Officer at the PRC, welcomed the gathering by emphasizing that the ongoing crisis in Gaza—characterized by mass destruction, deliberate targeting of civilians, and an unyielding siege—must be recognized as acts amounting to genocide. In her address, Ms. Natsheh highlighted that this conference is not merely an academic exercise but a crucial call to action. She underlined the need to confront silence and inaction with decisive measures, reaffirming that justice for Palestine is both a legal and moral imperative. Her remarks framed the conference agenda into three distinct panels addressing the legal foundations of genocide, the lived realities in Gaza, and the translation of advocacy into effective international solidarity.

Preserving History, Amplifying Voices
Following this, Att. Lara Elborno, a noted Palestinian-American international lawyer, expanded on the themes of responsibility and remembrance. Speaking with a deep sense of urgency and historical insight, she dedicated her message to millions of Palestinians across Gaza, the West Bank, and the broader historic Palestine, as well as to future generations. Att. Elborno stressed that the Palestinian struggle—rooted in decades of displacement, the enduring Nakba, and systemic human rights violations—demands that the global community name these atrocities for what they are. She noted that acknowledging the ongoing nature of the Nakba is essential for understanding the full scope of Palestinian suffering and for mobilizing a sustained, global resistance against erasure and impunity.

Setting the Agenda for Global Action
The opening speeches collectively underscored the conference’s mission: to confront the legal and moral responsibilities long ignored by the international community. The discussions that unfolded that day traversed three critical pillars:

The PRC’s opening session not only marked the commencement of a conference dedicated to dissecting and addressing the ongoing crisis in Gaza but also reaffirmed the commitment to preserving the historical record and empowering Palestinian agency. Throughout the conference, participants were called upon to transform knowledge into action—challenging established narratives and catalysing a powerful, unified movement for justice.

Looking Ahead
Following the opening session, the conference will continue with a series of insightful panel discussions that will further explore the legal, humanitarian, and advocacy dimensions of the crisis in Gaza.

Download the conference booklet:

https://prc.org.uk/upload/library/files/Conference_Booklet.pdf 

22 Feb 2025