Friends,
For months, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has been signaling his intention to indict Hamas leaders for the atrocities of October 7 and issuing direct warnings to Israeli leaders to conduct military operations in accordance with international law.
On Monday, May 20, the prosecutor stepped up to a podium in The Hague to announce his request for the Court to issue arrest warrants for both top political and military leaders of Hamas and for the Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Israel.
On Tuesday, June 4, I’ll be joined by Israeli political analyst Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin and Israeli international law expert Professor Eliav Lieblich to discuss the charges, their political impact, and the role of international courts in deterring war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. Register here to join us >>
In the years after Israel’s founding, and in the aftermath of the Holocaust, the State of Israel was supportive of the project to create an international criminal court to prosecute and deter atrocity crimes. Benjamin Ferencz, a Jewish-American Chief Prosecutor at the Nuremberg trials, championed the ICC as “a significant step toward a more humane world under the rule of law.”
I’m sure I share profound concern with many of you that today, the Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Israel may be subject to arrest warrants issued by that same court, facing charges of using starvation as a weapon of war.
On Tuesday, I look forward to hearing from Dr. Scheindlin and Professor Lieblich for their take on the situation and the challenges it creates, and taking your questions as part of the Q and A.
Please register to join us Tuesday, June 4, at 1pm Eastern / 10am Pacific >>
Along with the ICC, our guests will also help us make sense of the legal battle playing out in the International Court of Justice, which just issued an order for Israel to halt its military offensive in Rafah and any actions that could bring about the partial or complete destruction of the Palestinian population there.
While the ICC and ICJ face significant challenges and are imperfect institutions, J Street has been clear: International law and credible enforcement mechanisms are vital pillars of a stable world order that protects American interests, international security and human rights.
I hope to see you Tuesday.
Yours,
Dr. Debra Shushan
Director of Policy, J Street
PS. If you can’t wait until Tuesday to see us, a reminder that J Street will be holding a virtual Town Hall with senior staff this Monday. We’ll share our analysis of the evolving situation in Gaza, Israel and in Washington – and take your questions and feedback. Register to join us Monday at 12pm Eastern / 9am Pacific >>
