Legal Affairs
“This is among the most painful affairs in the history of the State of Israel,” says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a letter to the incoming ICC prosecutor, a group of 16 leaders, including the former premiers of Canada, Australia, Spain and Uruguay, state their concern at the “unprecedented campaign of delegitimization against Israel.”
“StandWithUs is confident that the desire of the state—to refuse to use taxpayer dollars to enter into contracts with companies that discriminate against Israel—will prevail,” said co-founder and CEO Roz Rothstein.
One of his first tasks in his nine-year term will be to decide whether or not to investigate Israel for alleged war crimes.
“The court has no jurisdiction because of the absence of the element of Palestinian statehood required by international law,” says German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.
The court’s ruling that it has jurisdiction to investigate Israel “poses no immediate threat” as international law does not recognize a state of Palestine, says Avichai Mandelblit.
The reversal one day before the start of proceedings will likely mean that the amended resolution will now need to be readjusted.
“I emphasized to the Secretary of State that the tribunal’s decision is fundamentally wrong, discriminatory, and that it jeopardizes the rare opportunity to promote peace in our region,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said to U.S. Secretary of Antony Blinken.
Janice Weinman said that “the achievements graciously attributed to me are Hadassah’s collective accomplishments—those of dedicated and committed volunteers and a talented professional staff.”
Maj. Gen. Itai Veruv, who heads the Israel Defense Forces Military Colleges, is overseeing a team that includes an international-law expert.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on supporters not to arrive at the courthouse so as not to violate social-distancing directives.
Israel has one year to “take advantage of the conflict and turn it into something positive,” says Luis Moreno Ocampo.
