In a historic first in 2018, the
Palestinian Authority called on the
International Criminal Court (ICC)
to investigate Israeli crimes against
the Palestinian people, including the
demolition of homes and communities,
illegal settlement expansion, and
targeting of unarmed protestors in
Gaza. Partly in retaliation for that step,
the U.S. closed the offices of the PLO
in Washington DC, the primary
Palestinian diplomatic presence in the U.S.
The Trump administration has also been threatening the ICC itself, if they pursue investigations into U.S. actions in Afghanistan or crimes by U.S. allies, naming Israel specifically. Threats include denying visas to ICC staff, imposing economic sanctions, and even seeking to prosecute ICC officials. The ICC has said it will not be intimidated by such threats. In March and April 2019, U.S. rhetoric stepped up and resulted in action. The U.S. has revoked the visa of the ICC prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda (photo), which effectively bars her from UN sessions in NY. As a Washington Post headline understates: 'that bodes poorly for international criminal justice."
Established by the UN in 2002 and ratified by 123 countries, including close U.S. allies like Great Britain, the ICC investigates those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. But the United States refuses to recognize the authority of the ICC; that and recent U.S. bullying tactics on behalf of itself and Israel should make observers wonder: What are the US and Israel afraid of? What crimes might the ICC prosecute?
READ MORE
Al Jazeera, May 2018: Palestine submits ICC referral to open probe into 'Israel crimes'
Mondoweiss, September 2018: Closing PLO office first casualty of Trump admin. war on ICC
The Guardian, Sept 2018: John Bolton threatens war crimes court with sanctions in
virulent attack
Human Rights Watch, March 2019: US Threatens International Criminal Court
Human Rights Watch, March 2019: Q&A: The International Criminal Court and the United States
Jerusalem Post, March 2019: U.S., Israel press ICC against full war crimes probes
Physicians for Human Rights, March 2019: Denial of U.S. Visas to ICC Undermines Global
Rule of Law
Maan News, April 2019: ICC responds to US sanctions threats
Haaretz, April 2019: Trumps Warns ICC of Prosecuting Israeli Actions
Jerusalem Post, April 2019: Netanyahu: It's absurd for ICC to put U.S. or Israeli soldiers on trial
Washington Post, April 2019: U.S. revoked visa for ICC prosecutor. That bodes poorly for international criminal justice
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
🔸= Something New or Recently Updated
UMKR Newsletter - Winter-Spring 2019
Read the newsletter eblast in your browser
IN THE NEWS: UNITED STATES
US Fights the International Criminal Court
Read these sections of the
Winter-Spring 2019
newsletter:
TAKE ACTION:
• NO US $$$ for Abuse of Children - goes to our action alert eblast
• Rise Against Racism, Counter CUFI
• UNITED METHODISTS' NEWS:
Response to GC2019; 2019 Resolutions;
Oppose Anti-Free Speech Bill; MFSA Says "No"; UMC Board's Actions
• PARTNERS' NEWS
Two Steps Forward for Lutherans; AMP: 500 Strong on Capitol Hill; JVP: "Zionism, a false & failed answer"
IN THE NEWS: ISRAEL/PALESTINE
• SUMUD: The Great March Continues
• UN Report: Israeli War Crimes
• Removing Last Restraints in Hebron
• Palestinian Revenues, Economic Crisis
• Waging War on Prisoners
• Deporting and Denying Entry
• Israeli Elections: Game-changer or...?
IN THE NEWS: UNITED STATES
• Ilhan Omar and a New Frontier
• US, Israel Fight Int'l Criminal Court
• Airbnb Whirlwind Ends in Disgrace
• Occupied no longer? Golan Heights
• Deal of the Century...Not!
IN THE NEWS: SPOTLIGHT
• Black-Palestinian Solidarity
• SEIZE THE DAY
Coming Events, June-Dec 2019
• THE HOLY LAND BECKONS:
News on ethical tourism AND
Upcoming 2019 Trips
United Methodists are responding to Kairos Palestine: A Moment of Truth ,a statement of faith and urgent call to action from Christians in Palestine. UMKR seeks, through nonviolent means and in partnership with Palestinian Christians, freedom, justice and equality for all Palestinians and Israelis.
ABOUT OUR NEWS SOURCES
The articles we include in our lists to 'Read More' – in our newsletters and on our website – are provided as an informational service for our readers, and the views expressed may or may not be shared by UMKR.
Some selections may be repetitive;because some periodicals have paywalls, we provide a variety of sources in the hope that every reader will find some of them accessible, with or without a subscription.
News & Analysis UMKR News & Alerts