UN rapporteur expresses ‘euphoria’ over ICC arrest warrants
Francesca Albanese, the UN’s special rapporteur on Palestine, called the ICC’s issuing of arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Gallant a “rare moment of euphoria”.
“I want to acknowledge the innumerable victims of too many wars on Gaza, and the indomitable work of Palestinian HR orgs … without whom the hope brought about by the ICC decision today, would have not come,” she said.
In this rare moment of euphoria, I want to acknowlege the innumerable victims of too many wars on Gaza, and the indomitable work of Palestinian HR orgs - @pchrgaza, @alhaq_org, @AlMezanCenter, @Addameer, @DCIPalestine - without whom the hope brought about by the ICC decision… https://t.co/eU0rvMl2ZK
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) November 21, 2024
UN chief Guterres ‘respects’ the ICC’s work, spokesperson says
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN chief Antonio Guterres, said, “The secretary-general respects the work and independence of the International Criminal Court,” when asked about arrest warrants issued for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Gallant.
When asked by the Anadolu news agency whether Israeli officials with arrest warrants will be able to participate in UN events at its New York headquarters, Dujarric said he wouldn’t comment on “hypothetical” situations.
“Any travel by anyone who’s indicted by the ICC would also involve the state in which UN conference or UN headquarters are located,” he said.
US senator expresses support for ICC arrest warrants
Bernie Sanders said he supported the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Gallant, and Hamas military commander Deif, saying “all launched indiscriminate attacks against civilians and caused unimaginable human suffering”.
“If the world does not uphold international law, we will descend into further barbarism,” he said in a post on X, alongside a longer statement.
“I agree with the ICC,” Sanders added.
Netanyahu, Gallant, and Deif have all launched indiscriminate attacks against civilians and caused unimaginable human suffering.
If the world does not uphold international law, we will descend into further barbarism.
I agree with the ICC. pic.twitter.com/OuErxOFRR9
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) November 21, 2024
US House passes nonprofit bill that could be used to target pro-Palestine groups
Legislators in the US House have narrowly passed a bill that, if it becomes law, will grant the Department of the Treasury broad authority to revoke the tax-exempt status of nonprofits deemed to be supporting “terrorism”.
Thursday’s vote saw the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, or HR 9495, receive 219 votes in favour, with 184 votes against.
A version of the Republican-sponsored bill was first introduced in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel. Initially viewed as a strongly bipartisan venture, the House overwhelmingly passed a previous version in April.
But the election of Republican Donald Trump has left many fearful the bill could be abused to target his political rivals.
The bill was brought up for a vote in the US House last week, but didn’t receive the two-thirds majority required. It returned to the House for another vote on Thursday and received the simple majority needed.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said the legislation, dubbed the “nonprofit killer” bill, “threatens to chill legitimate criticism of Israel and advocacy for Palestinian human rights”.
The bill will now go to the Democratic-controlled Senate, where its fate is uncertain.
