Ex-Mossad boss compares threats to ICC prosecutor to mafia tactics
A former chief of Israel’s Mossad spy agency says he’s shocked by reports of threats made against an International Criminal Court prosecutor not to investigate alleged war crimes, comparing it to a move by an Italian mafia group.
The Guardian reported this week that ex-Mossad chief Yossi Cohen threatened former ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to dissuade her from looking into alleged war crimes committed by Israel.
Tamir Pardo, whom Cohen replaced as Mossad’s chief in 2016, told the Israeli newspaper Haaretz he cannot believe “any employee of the Mossad would do things of the type described”.
“This is at the extreme of things that must not be done. It sounds like Cosa Nostra-style blackmail,” Pardo is quoted as saying, referring to the feared Sicilian Mafia.
Cohen’s covert contact to pressure Bensouda took place in the years leading up to her decision to open a formal probe into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in occupied Palestinian territory.
Sure he would say that, must be one rotten apple, not policy at all... It took from 2015 (Januari 1st claim filed) until 2021 for the court to even start an investigation. This has been going on a long time.
Large crowds march in Yemen after deadly US, UK air strikes
In Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa, many people protested as part of weekly demonstrations to express solidarity with Palestinians.
The latest march comes after US and UK air strikes last night killed 16 people and wounded another 35, according to Houthi media.
فيديو | هتافات الجماهير أثناء الخروج المليوني الكبير في ميدان السبعين بالعاصمة صنعاء في مسيرة "مع غزة.. تصعيد مهما كانت التحديات"#معركة_الفتح_الموعود_والجهاد_المقدس#وكالة_سبأ pic.twitter.com/Ea5flwuqYD
— سبأ (@alsyasiah) May 31, 2024
Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah promises retaliation for US, UK attacks on Yemen
Kataib Hezbollah, the Iran-aligned armed group that’s part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, signalled its truce with the US-led coalition in the region may be over after the deadly US and British air strikes on Yemen.
The group said in a statement, “The enemy will receive blow after blow from us,” adding: “We will not hesitate to provide all forms of support to our Yemeni brothers.”
The Iraqi groups largely stopped their many attacks on US positions in Iraq and Syria after the turmoil in the aftermath of three American soldiers being killed in Jordan.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq began launching attacks in support of the besieged people of Gaza and against the US backing of Israel’s war.
