UK says ‘respects ICC independence’, focused on ceasefire

A United Kingdom government spokesperson has refused to directly say whether the UK will honour the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant.

“We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court, which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

“This government has been clear that Israel has a right to defend itself, in accordance with international law. There is no moral equivalence between Israel, a democracy, and Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, which are terrorist organisations,” the statement continues.

The British government said it will “remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the devastating violence in Gaza”, release the captives and increase humanitarian aid.

Respect? You have been trying to block these arrest warrants for months. You do not respect ICC independence at all.

Independent British lawmakers ask if UK will honour ICC warrants

An alliance of five independent lawmakers in the British Parliament has written to the prime minister to ask whether the government intends to honour its obligations regarding the arrest warrants issued by the ICC.

“Today’s historic decision by the ICC is the first step toward justice, accountability and peace. As a signatory to the ICC, the UK has an obligation to uphold the rulings,” they wrote.

“There is no ambiguity here: the UK’s continued supply of arms to Israel means the government is aiding and abetting war crimes. When will the government honour its obligations under the Geneva Convention to prevent genocide, and end all arms sales to Israel?”

Canada will abide by all rulings of international courts, says Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will abide by all rulings issued by international courts when asked about arrest warrants issued by the ICC for senior Israel officials.

“It’s really important that everyone abide by international law,” Trudeau told a televised news conference. “We stand up for international law, and we will abide by all the regulations and rulings of the international courts.”

He Justin, abide by the ICJ rullings / advisories as well. Sanction Israel now.

ICC arrest warrants ‘consistent with Human Rights Watch findings’

Yasmine Ahmed, the United Kingdom director for Human Rights Watch (HRW), says the ICC’s reasons for the arrest warrants are consistent with findings from HRW.

“Certainly the findings against both the Israeli officials, Benjamin Netanyahu and [Yoav] Gallant, are consistent with [our] findings … namely that Israel has committed starvation as a weapon of war, which is a war crime,” Ahmed told Al Jazeera from London.

The organisation is urging ICC member states to abide by the warrant, the HRW director said. “It’s not every state in the world, but there are a significant number of states … and what it does do, is shrink the world for these people who have now been found to … have committed these crimes.”

Ahmed said that “consideration of criminal responsibility” is something that weighs heavily on the minds of those who are making decisions in the context of war.

“We know that war crimes and international crimes will continue to be committed, but we do know from what the work that we have done … that this is incredibly important,” she said.

ICC prosecutor urges cooperation on arrest warrants from all nations

Prosecutor Karim Khan urges ICC members as well as nonmembers to cooperate with the arrest warrants the court issued today. In a statement, he said countries that belong to the court must “live up” to their commitments.

Khan also expressed concern over reports of escalating violence, further shrinking of humanitarian access and continued expansion of alleged international crimes in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

More global reactions to the ICC arrest warrants

ICC decisions, including arrest warrants for Israeli leaders Netanyahu and Gallant, are binding for all 27 member states of the EU as parties to the Rome Statute, according to the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell.

Javier Milei, the pro-Israeli president of Argentina, said the country “does not agree” with the ICC decision because it “ignores Israel’s right to defend itself against the ongoing attacks by terrorist organisations such as Hamas and Hezbollah”.

The office of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said the government “appreciates the brave and just stance” of the ICC and also renewed its calls to stop the war and urged “all free countries to implement this decision”.

Jeremy Corbyn, the former UK Labour Party chief and an incumbent independent lawmaker, said the arrest warrants are long overdue. The government must immediately endorse the decision as a “bare minimum”, he wrote on X. “Will the UK government now, finally, honour its international obligations to prevent genocide and end all arms sales to Israel?”

It doesn't ignore Israel's right to self defense. Self defense is not a blank cheque to do whatever you want.

ICC arrest warrants ‘makes a difference to world opinion’

Michael Mansfield, an international human rights lawyer, says Israel is an “unjust state that has never respected the rule of law”. Israel is trying to “deflect responsibility” and its objective has been to destroy Gaza and make it “uninhabitable”, Mansfield told Al Jazeera.

Netanyahu will not end the war in Gaza, he said, until this objective is met. “If he ends the war, he is in trouble. He’s in trouble if he leaves the country … and if he stays in Israel … he’s awaiting prosecution there,” Mansfield said.

The issuing of the ICC warrants “makes a difference to world opinion, because I don’t think that the regime in Israel have recognised the extent in which they are being isolated – morally isolated”, he said.

Main points on November 21st

US official struggles as reporters expose hypocrisy over UN ceasefire resolution | Janta Ka Reporter

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller was given tough time by reporters as they exposed the US hypocrisy over the situation in the Middle East. This was after the US opposed another UN resolution at the Security Council even as its allies, the UK and France, voted in favour of a ceasefire. This clearly showed that the Biden administration never want a ceasefire.

Israel's Genocide PROVEN By Two Reports - Our Media Buries Them

EXPOSED: Israel's Plan To COLONISE Gaza



How the Western media covered up Israel's explicit promises to commit genocide from day one.

'EU must implement ICC arrest warrant'

The International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must be "respected and implemented" by EU members, says the EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell.

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.

Israel’s UN ambassador calls for boycott of ICC

Israel’s ambassador to the UN is one of the latest Israeli officials to express outrage at the ICC’s arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant. Speaking to Israel’s Arutz Sheva media, ambassador Danny Danon called the ICC warrants “a shameful and political decision”.

“We need to speak with our allies and move forward with a decision to boycott the ICC and anyone who cooperates with it,” said Danon.

During the same interview, Danon also referenced the failed Gaza ceasefire resolution at the UN Security Council, which was vetoed by the US on November 20. He accused countries advocating for a ceasefire of “abandoning their own citizens” because “there are hostages from many nationalities”.

“There will be no ceasefire without the hostages,” he added.

Release of the hostages is in the ceasefire resolution. A ceasefire is needed to locate and release the hostages. Israel doesn't give a crap about the hostages, they only use them as an excuse to keep killing people.

Orban to invite Netanyahu to Hungary in defiance of ICC arrest warrant

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban says he will invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit his country, saying he will guarantee that an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Netanyahu will “not be observed”.

Orban, whose country holds the European Union’s rotating six-month presidency, told state radio that the ICC’s arrest warrant was “wrong” and said the Israeli leader would be able to conduct negotiations in Hungary “in adequate safety”.

“Today I will invite Israel’s prime minister, Mr Netanyahu, for a visit to Hungary and in that invite I will guarantee him that if he comes, the ICC ruling will have no effect in Hungary, and we will not follow its contents,” Orban said.

Since Orban and his nationalist Fidesz party swept to power in 2010, he and Netanyahu have forged close political relations.

Netanyahu visited Budapest in 2017.

Cyprus official says ICC warrants ‘binding’ in principle

A government source in Cyprus, a close ally of Israel, has told Reuters news agency that the country is studying the ICC’s arrest warrants against Israel’s Netanyahu and Gallant, but considers ICC warrants binding in principle.

“The decision is being studied and we have no comment on that,” said the source, which spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity. “As a matter of principle, the decisions of the International Criminal Court are both respected, and binding.”

Numerous Western countries have affirmed their respect for the ICC’s work after it issued the landmark rulings, though several other states, including the US, Hungary and Argentina, slammed its decisions as unjust.

Germany ‘carefully examining’ implications of ICC warrants

Germany’s government has now officially commented on the ICC warrants for Israel’s Netanyahu and Gallant, saying it would “carefully examine” potential domestic measures to take in response but noting it will not take further steps until a visit to the country is planned.

In a statement, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said Germany, which helped draft the ICC Statute, remains one of the court’s “biggest supporters”. However, he also stressed that as “a consequence of German history … we have a unique relationship and a great responsibility to Israel”.

Separately, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Germany was “bound by” the ICC ruling and would examine what it means “for implementation in Germany”. As for whether German authorities would move to arrest Netanyahu or Gallant were they to visit the country, the matter is currently “theoretical”, Baerbock said.

Germany, a close ally of Israel, has itself fended off international legal challenges related to its support for Israel. Earlier this year, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled against Nicaragua’s bid for it to order Germany to halt arms sales to Israel.

German arms delivery policy to Israel ‘unchanged’ after ICC arrest warrants

The German government’s position on delivering weapons to Israel is “unchanged” despite the ICC’s arrest warrants, according to a spokesperson quoted by the Reuters news agency.

“Arms deliveries to Israel are always subject to a case-by-case assessment, and that remains the case now,” the spokesperson said. “Our attitude towards Israel remains unchanged.”

Dutch district court hears case on weapons transfers to Israel

Pro-Palestinian groups have taken the Dutch state to court, urging a halt to arms exports to Israel and accusing the government of failing to prevent what they termed a “genocide” in Gaza.

They argue that the Netherlands, a staunch ally of Israel, has a legal obligation to do everything in its power to stop violations of international law and the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.

“Today, the plaintiffs are here to hold the Dutch state accountable for failing to comply with international law by failing to intervene against violations of the rights of the Palestinian people committed by the state of Israel,” Wout Albers, a lawyer representing the coalition, said at a civil court in The Hague.

“Israel is guilty of genocide and apartheid” and “is using Dutch weapons to wage war”, Albers added.

Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen, reporting from outside the court, said their demands build off of previous decisions by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which earlier this year ruled that the occupation of Palestine is illegal.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants issued yesterday against Israel’s Netanyahu and Gallant are expected to add more weight to this case, Vaessen said.

Three injured during air raid shelter stampede in Haifa

Israel’s ambulance service is reporting that three people have been injured in a stampede as people rushed to get to bomb shelters in the Israeli city of Haifa and Krayot earlier tonight.

The injured have been transferred to Rambam Hospital in Haifa and the seriousness of their injuries is not currently known. Earlier, we reported that sirens sounded in the Haifa area after five rockets were detected crossing into northern Israel from Lebanon.

Search and rescue in Lebanon’s Baalbek

A search and rescue operation is under way in Lebanon’s eastern Baalbek region where at least 47 people have been killed in a series of Israeli air strikes. Several towns and villages were targeted in the attacks, and the Lebanese Health Ministry said 22 people were also injured.