#Israel / Netanyahu claims the US does not plan to impose sanctions on the ICC
Israeli news site #Maariv is reporting that #Netanyahu commented on the fact that the U.S. does not intend to impose sanctions against the #ICC, after the request for an arrest warrant against him was filed, as reported today (Wednesday) in German "Politico." The report stated that in an interview he gave today, which is expected to be broadcast next week, Netanyahu expressed his surprise and even disappointment.
The International Court of Justice will announce a decision today on potential orders against Israel regarding its ongoing attack on Gaza, specifically in Rafah. Israel fears the court will order a halt to the to the war, or at least the Rafah operation, due to worsening humanitarian conditions. Such an order would put Israel in a difficult position - defying it could lead to international sanctions, though the U.S. would likely support regardless of the legality of its actions in Gaza, as it did so far.
#Maariv is reporting that according to the assessment of "diplomatic officials," the likelihood that the court will accept South Africa's request and order a halt to the war in Gaza tomorrow, is not very high, but nonetheless, this time it is "realistic and certainly not negligible."
If this scenario materializes - Israel will be dependent on the U.S. vetoing the order. But according to assessments in Israel, in the current situation the American veto is not guaranteed, and it is possible that Washington will condition it on Israel taking one action or another. For example, in exchange for Israeli agreement to the Saudi initiative.
#Palestine / Norway, along with Ireland and Spain, to recognize Palestinian state (to be followed by Slovenia and Malta); Israel recalls ambassadors to Ireland, Norway
With over 140 UN member states now recognizing Palestine, the wave of European support signals growing impatience with the stalled peace process and a willingness to challenge U.S.-backed insistence on direct negotiations favoring Israel's position.
[...] "In the middle of a war, with tens of thousands of dead and injured, we must keep alive the only thing that can provide a safe home for both Israelis and Palestinians: two states that can live in peace with each other," --- Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere (#Norway)
Israel swiftly condemned the move, recalling its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland, and warning of "dire consequences" if Spain follows through. The Israeli Foreign Minister accused the countries of "undercutting Israel's sovereignty and endangering its security."
#ICC / Prosecutor asks for arrest warrants for three leading Hamas leaders, as well ass Netanyahu and Galant
[...] The office of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on Monday said it was seeking arrest warrants against three leading Hamas militants for their alleged roles in the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Watch: ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan explains the charges against top Hamas and Israeli leadership in detail in this excerpt from his interview with @amanpour this morning at The Hague
#Israel / Foreign Minister Warns of 'Severe Anti-Semitic Wave' as ICC Considers Arrest Warrants for Top Officials"
#Ynet is reporting that Foreign Minister Katz instructed israeli diplomats around the world to prepare for a "severe anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli wave" in response to the reports that the International Criminal Court in The Hague may issue arrest warrants against high-ranking officials. According to Katz, "if the warrants are issued, they will harm the commanders and fighters of the Israeli Defense Forces and will create a wave of incitement against us by Hamas and radical Islamic circles, led by Iran, which we are fighting." Reportedly, Katz instructed diplomats to increase security around Jewish institutions worldwide.
"If the ICC were to make a scandalous decision that holds Israel accountable for war crimes, it would trigger an enormous wave of anti-Semitism around the world and undermine any chance at returning the captives. Israeli citizens reject any attempt to harm the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) and Israel's right to defend itself. Just as Iran's terrorism and its proxies did not deter us from fighting terror with all our might, similarly, absurd legal proceedings in the ICC will not hinder our determination to achieve the goals of war and act in any way to defeat our enemies and ensure the future of the state."
#Gaza / Israeli airstrike on Gaza kills seven working for food aid NGO
Hearing about the Israeli airstrike on Gaza which killed seven working for food aid NGO #WCK, I was reminded immediately of Meron Rapoport’s post about how Israel is sabotaging aid efforts. See Israel's Policy of Calculated Disorder in Gaza https://kolektiva.social/@oatmeal/112133541637687094.
There’s nothing much to add. At this point it does seem Israel is doing its best to sow chaos by killing foreign aid workers; as well as locals it agreed could assist in securing the deliveries.
[…] "This is not only an attack against #WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war," said Erin Gore, chief executive of World Central Kitchen.
[cont’d] “worst event we've had since the beginning of the war” … 🤔 who’s counting
A glimpse into the distorted way of thinking within the Israeli security apparatus, which unfortunately seems to resonate with many, if not most, Israelis.
[…] sources in the security establishment are defining the incident as: "The worst event we've had since the beginning of the war."
[…] Avigdor Liberman: In operational activity, anything can happen - the terrorists sometimes use vehicles belonging to aid organizations."
#UN / Israel is deliberately starving Palestinians, UN rights expert says
Michael Fakhri, the UN special rapporteur on the right to food:
“There is no reason to intentionally block the passage of humanitarian aid or intentionally obliterate small-scale fishing vessels, greenhouses and orchards in Gaza – other than to deny people access to food,”
“Intentionally depriving people of food is clearly a war crime. Israel has announced its intention to destroy the Palestinian people, in whole or in part, simply for being Palestinian. In my view as a UN human rights expert, this is now a situation of genocide. This means the State of Israel in its entirety is culpable and should be held accountable – not just individuals or this government, or that person.”
[cont’d] if you squint your eyes, Israeli #genocide denialism begins to look a little bit like #holocaust denialism… or at least qanon false flag paranoia …
[Headline] Riding on the humanitarian card: The trap Sinwar is setting for Israel if the deal doesn't go through
#Hamas is trying to create an illusion that the Gazans are starving to death. Sinwar is betting that when images of children and infants dying of hunger start spreading around the world, international actors will force Israel to stop fighting.
Liraz Margalit, PhD, is a Social Psychologist who specializes in Behavioral Design… 😬
#Israel / U.S. Government Threatens Sanctions on IDF Soldiers in the occupied West Bank
The Biden administration has threatened sanctions on IDF soldiers operating in the West Bank, according to a report on #Kan11 News.
Following recent talks between senior State Department officials and #Biden administration members, the State Department produced a report expressing displeasure with the lack of enforcement in the West Bank against settler violence. This comes after the U.S. received a list of violent incidents involving IDF soldiers and officers. As a result, the U.S. warned of major entanglement potential for #IDF units in the West Bank.
The report states that an inter-ministry discussion in Israel will be held to formulate a response. The U.S. cautioned that if Israel does not provide a satisfactory answer within 60 days, sanctions will be imposed on soldiers.