The United Nations, The Hague, ICC and ICJ

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Russia and China veto US resolution calling for immediate cease-fire in Gaza

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia and China on Friday vetoed a U.S.-sponsored U.N. resolution supporting “an immediate and sustained cease-fire” in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, calling the measure ambiguous and saying it was not the direct demand to end the fighting that much of the world seeks.

https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-us-vote-gaza-ceasefire-resolution-f6453803b3eacc9fbaa2ce5a025e2a94?

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UN demand for Gaza cease-fire provokes strongest clash between US and Israel since war began

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations Security Council on Monday issued its first demand for a cease-fire in Gaza, with the U.S. angering Israel by abstaining from the vote. Israel responded by canceling a visit to Washington by a high-level delegation in the strongest public clash between the allies since the war began.

https://apnews.com/article/un-gaza-ceasefire-resolution-vote-ramadan-b7985fede65e5477aba2c8d2e62a6632?

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The U.N. rights chief says eastern Congo’s escalating violence is being forgotten by the world

GOMA, Congo (AP) — The world is forgetting the escalating violence in eastern Congo as conflicts continue in places like Ukraine and Gaza, the U.N. human rights chief said Wednesday while visiting the region and calling for peace and support for millions repeatedly displaced.

https://apnews.com/article/congo-goma-rebels-m23-united-nations-ce29e92ba6d80fd4ec8adc0664b213f4?

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Russia vetoes a UN resolution calling for the prevention of a dangerous nuclear arms race in space

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia on Wednesday vetoed a U.N. resolution sponsored by the United States and Japan calling on all nations to prevent a dangerous nuclear arms race in outer space, calling it “a dirty spectacle” that cherry picks weapons of mass destruction from all other weapons that should also be banned.

https://apnews.com/article/nuclear-arms-space-un-us-japan-russia-175d45ddb658729eff060bd8a83b8a55?

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Netanyahu fears ICC arrest warrants

A view of destruction after Israeli attacks in Rafah, Gaza, today. Photo: Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked President Biden over the weekend to help prevent the International Criminal Court from issuing arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials — including himself — Axios' Barak Ravid scoops. The ICC has been investigating possible war crimes by both Israeli forces and Palestinian militants dating back to the 2014 Israel-Hamas war. And Israeli officials have grown increasingly concerned over the last two weeks that the ICC is preparing to issue arrest warrants in connection with the war in Gaza. Possible targets include Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi. ? What they're saying: A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council declined to comment on the contents of Netanyahu's conversation with Biden but said, "The ICC has no jurisdiction in this situation and we do not support its investigation." Go deeper.

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Why the International Criminal Court has Israeli officials worried Israeli officials are becoming increasingly concerned that the International Criminal Court, the permanent court of last resort to prosecute individuals responsible for the world’s most heinous atrocities, could issue arrest warrants for the country’s leaders more than six months into the Israel-Hamas war. Read more.

Why this matters: The ICC becomes involved when nations are unable or unwilling to prosecute crimes on their territory. Israel argues that it has a functioning court system, and disputes over a nation’s ability or willingness to prosecute have fueled past disputes between the court and individual countries.   Dozens of countries do not accept the court’s jurisdiction over war crimes, genocide and other crimes. They include Israel, the United States, Russia and China. And, without a police force, the ICC relies on member states to arrest suspects, which has proven to be a major obstacle to prosecutions.   Israel often levies accusations of bias at U.N. and international bodies. The ICC’s chief prosecutor at the time announced in 2021 that she was opening an investigation into possible crimes on Palestinian territory, a decision Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed as hypocritical and antisemitic.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ The top UN court is set to rule on Nicaragua’s request for Germany to halt aid to Israel   US military ships are working to build a pier for Gaza aid. It’s going to cost at least $320 million   Missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels damages a ship in the Red Sea

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The unprecedented destruction of housing in Gaza hasn’t been seen since World War II, the UN says

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The world hasn’t seen anything like the unprecedented destruction of housing in Gaza since World War II, and it would take at least until 2040 to restore the homes devastated in Israel’s bombing and ground offensive if the conflict ended today, the United Nations reported Thursday.

https://apnews.com/article/un-report-gaza-destruction-housing-economy-recovery-4f61dcca7db3fd5eb3da5c6a25001e12?

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UN assembly approves resolution granting Palestine new rights and reviving its UN membership bid

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on Friday to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine and called on the Security Council to reconsider Palestine’s request to become the 194th member of the United Nations.

https://apnews.com/article/un-resolution-palestinians-membership-rights-us-assembly-875560e897f27d6600090420f36404e4?

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The Latest | Nearly half a million people flee fighting in Rafah and northern Gaza, UN says

Nearly half a million Palestinians have been displaced in recent days by escalating Israeli military operations in southern and northern Gaza, the United Nations says.

https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-hamas-latest-05-13-2024-18bde11f5581a7d296d2242b9f204ce9?

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War crimes prosecutor seeks arrest of Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Netanyahu

JERUSALEM (AP) — The chief prosecutor of the world’s top war crimes court sought arrest warrants Monday for leaders of Israel and Hamas, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over actions taken during their seven-month war.

https://apnews.com/article/icc-khan-netanyahu-070941d21ccd1f2b9611032b88527575?

Outrage at The Hague

The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor is facing a storm of bipartisan criticism over his decision to seek arrest warrants for top Israeli officials alongside leaders of Hamas.

• Why it matters: At a moment of deep tensions in U.S.-Israel relations, the historic step has prompted President Biden and other top Democrats to rally behind Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"The ICC prosecutor's application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous," Biden said in a terse statement.

• "And let me be clear: whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence — none — between Israel and Hamas."

The big picture: This is the first time the ICC has sought arrest warrants against a major U.S. ally or the leader of a democratic country, Axios' Barak Ravid reports.

• ICC prosecutor Karim Khan also is seeking warrants for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and two others for murder, hostage-taking, sexual violence and other crimes against humanity tied to the Oct. 7 terrorist attack.

Between the lines: Secretary of State Tony Blinken said that despite Israel not being a member of the ICC, Netanyahu's government was "prepared to cooperate" and had scheduled a visit for Khan as "early as next week."

• "These and other circumstances call into question the legitimacy and credibility of this investigation," Blinken said, slamming Khan for breaking the news on CNN.

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ICC blowback

The International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to seek an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has garnered near universal condemnation from Senate Democrats.

Why it matters: Netanyahu has been increasingly isolated by Democrats due to his handling of the war in Gaza, but the move from the ICC has many in the party jumping to his defense.

• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the decision by the ICC "profoundly unfair" and "reprehensible."

The big picture: Democrats scoffed at the grouping of Israeli leaders with top officials for Hamas.

• Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), a top Israel backer, told Axios the decision was "trash" and the ICC has "destroyed their own credibility."
• Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) also told Axios there was "no equivalence" between Israel and Hamas and the decision is "wrong and it's dangerous."
• Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), in a joint statement with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), slammed the ICC's "political move" that "seeks to undermine Israel as it defends itself."

The other side: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) praised the ICC, saying it was "right to take these actions" and argued Netanyahu has "waged an unprecedented war of destruction against the entire Palestinian people."

The bottom line: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said today the House may vote on sanctions against the ICC for seeking the warrants, Axios' Andrew Solender reports.

Read more

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France and Belgium support ICC request for arrest warrants of Israel and Hamas leaders, in break from Western allies France and Belgium released statements supporting the world’s top war crimes court and its chief prosecutor's request for arrest warrants for leaders of Israel and Hamas, after Israel and the United States both harshly condemned the effort by ICC prosecutor Karim Khan to seek arrest warrants for Israeli officials in connection with the seven-month war in Gaza. Read more.

Why this matters: Divisions were emerging Tuesday among Israel’s Western allies as France and other European nations said they supported Khan’s decision. France, Belgium and Slovenia’s decisions to back the move deepens Israel’s isolation and splits the West over its approach to Israel and its conduct of the war in Gaza.   Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders condemned the move as disgraceful and antisemitic while U.S. President Joe Biden lambasted the prosecutor and supported Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas. Hamas issued a separate statement denouncing the request to arrest its leaders, accusing Khan of trying to “equate the victim with the executioner.”   Netanyahu and his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, do not face imminent arrest, but the announcement was a symbolic blow over Israel's involvement in the war in Gaza. The threat of arrest could also make it very difficult for Israeli leaders to travel abroad.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ These photos show Palestinians’ quick exodus from Rafah after Israel issued evacuation orders   Amal Clooney is one of the legal experts who recommended war crimes charges in Israel-Hamas war   France is trying top Syrian former officials for the alleged torture and killing of father and son

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UN halts all food distribution in Rafah after running out of supplies in the southern Gaza city

CAIRO (AP) — The United Nations suspended food distribution in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Tuesday due to a lack of supplies and an untenable security situation caused by Israel’s expanding military operation. The U.N. warned that humanitarian operations across the territory were nearing collapse.

https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-west-bank-jenin-raid-a3320a77a3a6ccff41db2a4bc63e4aa3?

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?? ICJ orders Israel to halt Rafah offensive

Palestinians grab aid from a truck delivered through a U.S.-built pier in Gaza. Photo: Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images The International Court of Justice ruled that Israel "must immediately halt" its military operation in Rafah — the Hague-based court's first order about the war in Gaza, Axios' Barak Ravid reports. Why it matters: The court has no way of enforcing its orders, but the ruling is the latest sign of mounting international pressure on Israel to end the war. Israel's government remains defiant about continuing the war, but pledged in a statement to "act, in full compliance with the law, to reduce as much as possible the harm caused to the civilian population in Gaza." Earlier today, the Israel Defense Forces announced it had recovered the bodies of three more hostages held by Hamas. 125 are still suspected to be in captivity. Keep reading. ... Egypt agrees to lift aid pause.

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UN Security Council adopts a cease-fire resolution aimed at ending Israel-Hamas war in Gaza

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council on Monday overwhelmingly approved its first resolution endorsing a cease-fire plan aimed at ending the eight-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

https://apnews.com/article/un-us-security-council-israel-hamas-ceasefire-834734f606a5245cc46a2487a70ae3fa?

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UN says Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups may have committed war crimes in a deadly raid

GENEVA (AP) — The U.N. human rights office is citing possible war crimes by Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups in connection with a deadly raid by Israeli forces that freed four hostages over the weekend and killed hundreds of Palestinians.

https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-gaza-un-nuseirat-raid-40a3e17012915c409e8a5d50475dd122?

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Top UN court says Israel’s presence in occupied Palestinian territories is illegal and should end

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The top United Nations court said Friday that Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful and called on it to end, and for settlement construction to stop immediately, issuing an unprecedented, sweeping condemnation of Israel’s rule over the lands it captured 57 years ago.

https://apnews.com/article/icj-court-israel-palestinians-settlements-2d5178500c0410341b252335859f2316?

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UN cultural agency rejects plan to place Britain’s Stonehenge on list of heritage sites in danger

LONDON (AP) — The United Nations’ cultural agency rejected recommendations Wednesday to place Stonehenge on the list of endangered world heritage sites over concerns that Britain’s plans to build a nearby highway tunnel threaten the landscape around the prehistoric monument.

https://apnews.com/article/unesco-stonehenge-danger-list-978702e1faa1528a490edb67dbe20873?

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UN fires additional staffers after probe finds potential involvement in Oct. 7 attack on Israel

JERUSALEM (AP) — The United Nations said Monday it has fired additional staff members from its agency for Palestinian refugees after an internal investigation found they may have been involved in the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack against Israel.

https://apnews.com/article/un-unrwa-staffers-fired-oct-7-cc33d0ab25dc4bacc0af1db10705e0d6?

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Putin arrives in Mongolia, a member of the ICC that issued an arrest warrant for him

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived Monday in Mongolia, a member of the international court that issued an arrest warrant for him.

https://apnews.com/article/russia-mongolia-putin-icc-warrant-b9c04dff1849164010de92b5564f7e60?

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The UN chief calls the death and destruction in Gaza the worst he’s seen

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. chief said Monday that the United Nations has offered to monitor any cease-fire in Gaza and demanIded an end to the worst death and destruction he has seen in his more than seven-year tenure.

https://apnews.com/article/un-guterres-gaza-israel-palestinians-ceasefire-bdd403003a4e005ea7ad2acf9072e552?

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Speech and conversation

Transcript from the German Marshall Fund event, Reflections on a Challenging Decade: A Farewell Conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_228915.htm?

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Biden's global farewell

NEW YORK — President Biden strained for optimism today in his farewell address to the UN General Assembly, Axios' Barak Ravid reports.

• As he winds down a career that has long focused on foreign affairs, Biden acknowledged three devastating wars that appear likely to outlast his presidency — while reminding his audience that humanity had endured darker times during his five decades in public life.

Why it matters: Biden is running short on the time and political capital needed to shape the course of events in Gaza, Ukraine and beyond. The future of America's policy in those conflicts, and its role in the world more broadly, hinges on the results of November's election.

• "I've seen a remarkable sweep of history," Biden said. "I know many look at the world today and see difficulties and react with despair but I do not."

Despite his attempt at optimism, the list of crises Biden mentioned was longer than that in his previous three speeches:

• On the Middle East: Biden again urged Israel and Hamas to accept the ceasefire and hostage deal on the table, but didn't say how the deadlock in negotiations could be broken. He also didn't present ideas on how to reach a diplomatic solution to stop the escalating fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
• On Ukraine: Biden claimed the alliances he rebuilt and global cooperation he led prevented Putin from overrunning Ukraine and urged his fellow leaders not to "look away."

Photo: Caitlin Ochs/Reuters

? Between the lines: Biden had surprisingly few words to say on China. He tried to continue his effort to decrease tensions with Beijing, and strengthen the channels of communication.

• Jon Finer, principal deputy national security adviser, told Barak at an Axios House event immediately after the speech that there was a "China subtext" to much of what Biden discussed — from infrastructure investments to strengthening America's alliances.
• "We in the Biden administration give some credit to our predecessors in the Trump administration for diagnosing competition with China as the fundamental nature of the relationship," Finer said. "We have just gone about that competition in a fundamentally different, and we believe more successful, way."

?️ The big picture: Biden used his decision to step down and not run in the presidential election to send a message to the leaders in the room — many of whom are monarchs, dictators or authoritarians — about "the soul of democracy."

• He ended with a reflection on the end of his career, and his decades of promoting democracy around the world: "Some things are more important than staying in power."

More from Barak: Hezbollah asked Iran to attack Israel.

Zelensky visit

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit the White House today where he will make an urgent plea for the Biden administration to continue providing aid to his war-torn country. The precise details of the "victory plan" Zelensky will present in separate meetings with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are unknown. But according to people briefed on the matter, the plan reflects the Ukrainian leader's appeals for more immediate help countering Russia's invasion. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the West on Wednesday that Russia could use nuclear weapons if Ukraine fires conventional Western missiles into his country.

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The world is at a dangerous moment as conflicts spread, UN rights chief says

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. human rights chief warned Thursday that the world is at an especially dangerous moment in history, with disregard and disrespect for international law “reaching a deafening crescendo.”

https://apnews.com/article/un-human-rights-international-law-disrespect-gaza-7267ef63395d34194126295272ab15ef?

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Dutch appeals court overturns landmark climate ruling against Shell

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A Dutch appeals court on Tuesday overturned a landmark ruling that ordered energy company Shell to cut its carbon emissions by net 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, while saying that “protection against dangerous climate change is a human right.”

https://apnews.com/article/shell-climate-court-netherlands-51e84d215df13f9c92edf84f301a673f?

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International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and a senior Hamas official, accusing them of war crimes during and after the October 7 attacks on Israel last year.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/21/middleeast/international-criminal-court-issues-arrest-warrant-for-israeli-prime-minister-intl

Top war-crimes court issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu and others in Israel-Hamas fighting

THE HAGUE (AP) — The world’s top war-crimes court issued arrest warrants Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas’ military chief, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with the 13-month war in Gaza.

https://apnews.com/article/icc-israel-hamas-warrants-netanyahu-palestinian-arrest-73c854d072e0a1a41b19b2cb2cdd07fa?