Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
The demand for tyrants and war criminals to be “sent to The Hague” has become a familiar slogan in the language of world politics – but as the Israel-Gaza war shows, it's not usually that simple.
The International Criminal Court has powers to try world leaders and generals for some of the gravest crimes, such as genocide, torture and wars of aggression. Its founding document says such crimes “must not go unpunished” even if domestic courts are “unwilling or unable” to act.
But its high principles often collide with realities of world politics that came sharply into view on Thursday when Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited his ally Hungary, defying an ICC warrant to have him arrested. Hungary duly said it would withdraw from the ICC.
The case against Mr Netanyahu, former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders – all now dead – has sparked a flurry of legal and political arguments along familiar lines. Allies of Israel such as the US argued it was for Israeli courts to hear the claims, while supporters of Palestine disagreed.
There is a perception that the ICC never goes after the West or its allies – so the Netanyahu case is sure to put its standing to the test.
Why does the ICC exist?
Set up in 2002, the ICC is not the same as the much older International Court of Justice, which hears disputes between nations rather than charges against individuals. Both have their seat in The Hague, in the Netherlands.
Before that, war crimes were prosecuted under one-off arrangements such as the Nuremberg trials of Nazi war criminals, which introduced the concept of crimes against humanity. A similar tribunal for the former Yugoslavia found Serb commanders guilty of the 1995 genocide of Bosnian Muslims at Srebrenica.
The Yugoslavia trials fuelled an appetite for a permanent court, leading to the establishment of the ICC.
How does the ICC work?
The ICC has its own prosecutor, currently British lawyer Karim Khan, who brings cases to its attention. They can also be referred by the UN Security Council, but that rarely happens.
It can try cases in four areas – genocide; crimes against humanity, which include mass killings and torture; “grave breaches” of the Geneva Conventions, the laws of war; and the “crime of aggression” against another country.
Not every country is a member – the US, Russia and Israel are notable countries missing. But Mr Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin have still been hit with arrest warrants due to their alleged actions in Palestine and Ukraine respectively, which are members.
Judges issue arrest warrants if this “appears necessary”, for example to ensure those arrested stand trial. But the ICC has no police force to and relies on countries to make the arrests. As Hungary's case shows, there's no guarantee of that.
If cases do proceed to trial they are heard by three ICC judges, who can order up to 30 years of imprisonment, or a life sentence in “exceptional circumstances”.
Who has been prosecuted at the ICC?
In its 23-year history the ICC has only convicted 11 people. The first was Thomas Lubanga, a Congolese warlord who conscripted child soldiers.
Dozens more have been placed under investigation but have evaded arrest, died or are yet to face trial. Those under arrest warrants include Mr Netanyahu, Mr Putin, Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony and Sudan's former president Omar Bashir.
Last month the former president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested by police in his home country and transferred to The Hague. He faces charges of mass killings related to his “war on drugs”.
What's happening in the Israel-Gaza ICC case?
Mr Khan announced his request for five Israel-Gaza arrest warrants in May last year. Judges granted the warrants for Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant in November, by which time Hamas suspects Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh and Mohammed Deif were dead.
The case against the Israeli leadership turns on alleged crimes against humanity committed against civilians in Gaza, including depriving them of food, water, medicine and electricity. Judges in the preliminary round said that aid into Gaza was restricted with “no clear military need”.
Israel furiously opposed the arrest warrants, saying it “does not accept the court's authority”. The US also condemned the ICC for putting the leader of a democracy on a par with a militant group. US President Donald Trump issued sanctions against the court in February.
The ICC does not try suspects in their absence, so no verdict can be reached unless Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant are arrested or voluntarily stand trial in The Hague.
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
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%3Cp%3E%0DIf%20Catherine%20Richards%20debuts%20for%20Wales%20in%20the%20Six%20Nations%2C%20she%20will%20be%20the%20latest%20to%20have%20made%20it%20from%20the%20UAE%20to%20the%20top%20tier%20of%20the%20international%20game%20in%20the%20oval%20ball%20codes.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESeren%20Gough-Walters%20(Wales%20rugby%20league)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBorn%20in%20Dubai%2C%20raised%20in%20Sharjah%2C%20and%20once%20an%20immigration%20officer%20at%20the%20British%20Embassy%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20she%20debuted%20for%20Wales%20in%20rugby%20league%20in%202021.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESophie%20Shams%20(England%20sevens)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EWith%20an%20Emirati%20father%20and%20English%20mother%2C%20Shams%20excelled%20at%20rugby%20at%20school%20in%20Dubai%2C%20and%20went%20on%20to%20represent%20England%20on%20the%20sevens%20circuit.%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFiona%20Reidy%20(Ireland)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMade%20her%20Test%20rugby%20bow%20for%20Ireland%20against%20England%20in%202015%2C%20having%20played%20for%20four%20years%20in%20the%20capital%20with%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Harlequins%20previously.%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Related
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MATCH INFO
Crawley Town 3 (Tsaroulla 50', Nadesan 53', Tunnicliffe 70')
Leeds United 0
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela
Edited by Sahm Venter
Published by Liveright
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
FIXTURES
Thursday
Dibba v Al Dhafra, Fujairah Stadium (5pm)
Al Wahda v Hatta, Al Nahyan Stadium (8pm)
Friday
Al Nasr v Ajman, Zabeel Stadium (5pm)
Al Jazria v Al Wasl, Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium (8pm)
Saturday
Emirates v Al Ain, Emirates Club Stadium (5pm)
Sharjah v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, Sharjah Stadium (8pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
6025 - Dh20
6027 - Dh100
6026 - Dh200
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