A Green Light for the ICC to Open an Investigation of Israel
The judges at the ICC in The Hague decided that all activity in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip can be investigated, but the day we might see arrest warrants issued for Israelis, if at all, remains a long way off. What can be expected, and how can Israel prevent further legal moves against it?
The Profound Consequences of the ICC’s Palestine Ruling
By Prof. Geoffrey Corn, South Texas College of Law* The International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber (PTC) issued a decision with profound potential consequences for Israel and other States, especially those that like Israel have chosen not to join the Court. The decision authorizes the Prosecutor to investigate and potentially prosecute alleged violations of the […]
The ICC’s Controversial Ruling
The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) will host two webinars on Thursday 18th and 25th February, starting at 4 pm CET, each for 60 – 75 mins including Q&A, about the recent ruling of the International Criminal Court (ICC), claiming that it has “jurisdiction” to prosecute Israeli and Palestinian leaders for crimes committed “on the […]
The ICC’s controversial ruling on “Palestine” – pushing the boundaries of law
Late Friday 5th February 2021, the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) made its long-awaited decision on the question whether it has “jurisdiction” to prosecute Israeli and Palestinian leaders for crimes committed “on the territory of Palestine”. The decision is extremely controversial and pushes the boundaries of international law.
Existential conflicts cannot be solved: a new framework for resolving the Israeli–Palestinian dispute
In this essay the author, Dr. Bren Carlill presents a sobering argument: ‘existential’ conflicts cannot be resolved. Only when the objectives of both sides soften to become ‘territorialist’ can the Israeli–Palestinian dispute be negotiated.
Report on trends in the delegitimisation of Israel
The International Legal Forum recently published a report ’Summary of Trends & Key Events of 2020 – Looking Ahead Towards 2021‘. A report full of pratical insights w.r.t. anti-Semitism and delegitimization.
Israel, the PA and the Coronavirus Vaccine
The claim that Israel is withholding Covid-19 vaccines from Palestinians is false. This ILF brief sets out Israel’s obligations and what it does beyond that to alleviate Palestinian suffering brought upon them by their own leadership.
Europe’s ruling on ritual slaughter is factually wrong and legally problematic
Dr. Mark Goldfeder opines that the ruling is factually wrong, legally problematic, discriminatorily hypocritical and systemically dangerous.
‘Realistic idealism’ – reflections on the Abraham Accords
The recent normalization agreements between Israel and a number of Arabic states seem to indicate that a growing number of Arabic/Islamic states prefer to switch from the idealistic ‘perpetrator-victim’ paradigm to a more realistic approach – a switch from a situation of captivity and stagnation to a future of peace, prosperity and security.
Court of Justice (EU) upholds Flemish ban on ritual slaughter: a blow to the religious freedom of Jews and Muslims
On 17 December 2020 the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice of the EU ruled that a Decree by the Flemish Region that requires animals to be stunned prior to slaughter to reduce their suffering does not contravene European law. This judgement is a serious threat to the freedom of religion in Europe.
EU Product Labeling | Videos
On 10 December 2020, an online conference was held by thinc. about the EU product labeling policy. This page contains the recordings of the conference.
Analyzing Trump’s Middle East Peace
This book review was written before the US Presidential election. Even though Trump lost the election, the historical narrative of his four years in regard to Israel and the Middle East are important reading, as its effects will be felt for years to come.
Spreading Terror Among the Civilian Population During the 2014 Gaza Conflict
In 2014, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups violated the international law prohibition against spreading terror among the civilian population. These acts continue up to the present day and amount to violations of international humanitarian law and war crimes.
European Court: calls for Boycott of Israeli products are allowed under Freedom of Expression – Commentary
The European Court of Human Rights (ECt.HR) has ruled that calls for boycott of Israeli products are justified under European human rights law. This case raises serious policy issues. BDS activities are at their core discriminatory and anti-Semitic.
European Court: calls for Boycott of Israeli products are allowed under Freedom of Expression – the Judgment
The European Court of Human Rights (ECt.HR) has ruled that calls for boycott of Israeli products are justified under European human rights law. This case raises serious policy issues.
Serbia Agrees to Move its Embassy to Jerusalem; Kosovo Agrees to Recognize Israel
In a remarkable ceremony in the White House on 4th September 2020, presided over by US President Trump, Serbia and Kosovo signed agreements to normalize their economic relations. The US-brokered agreements were hailed by the US President as “historic”. In reality they do not constitute a comprehensive “normalization” agreement, but resemble little more than an agreement to carry out a list of previously-agreed projects.
Advocate General: Ban on Ritual Slaughter Contravenes European Law
On 10 September Advocate General Hogan delivered his much anticipated Opinion in an important case concerning ritual slaughter pending before the Court of Justice of the EU. The case concerns the judicial review of a Decree by the Flemish Region that requires animals to be stunned prior to slaughter to reduce their suffering, thereby effectively prohibiting the slaughter of animals according to Jewish and Muslim rites. The case was brought before the Belgian Constitutional Court, which decided to stay the proceedings and request the CJEU to give a preliminary ruling on the compatibility of the Flemish legislation with European law. AG Hogan suggests that the Flemish Law proscribing slaughter of animals without stunning, including religious slaughter rites, is incompatible with EU law. He proposes that Member States should be allowed to adopt stricter rules than those contained in EU law on animal slaughter, but the prescribed derogation protecting religious rites must be protected.
A Layperson’s Guide to Some Basic Concepts in International Law and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
International law can be confusing even for lawyers and law students who are trying to grasp its basic concepts. What do terms like “conquest”, “belligerent occupation”, “annexation”, “statehood”, “non-self-governing territory” and “the right to self-determination” mean? To the average non-lawyer, these terms might sound like a completely foreign language. In this article, we hope to provide a simple layperson’s guide to some basic concepts in international law, and their relevance to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
International Law for Just One Nation
Two books examine the details behind arguments about the legality of settlements – a review by Prof. Eugene Kontorovich.
The Palestinian ‘Refugee’ Problem and the Missing Peace
Prof. Joseph Spoerl compares the different approaches taken by Palestinians and Germans to the dislocations that avoidable wars of their own causing inflicted on these two peoples in the 1940s.