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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to defy an international arrest warrant could be in jeopardy if the US re-establishes ties with Iran, a former top war crimes prosecutor has told The National.
Luis Ocampo, who served as the first chief prosecutor of International Criminal Court from 2003 to 2012, said Mr Netanyahu remains free due to political influences such as Israel’s close relationship with the US. These ties have allowed Washington to lobby for Mr Netanyahu’s continued freedom, he said.
But all this is at risk, Mr Ocampo said, if the US normalises relations with Iran, as Washington and Tehran carry out negotiations on a new nuclear deal. An agreement could provide an overarching “solution” to the issues plaguing the Middle East, he added.
Mr Netanyahu opposed a nuclear agreement signed in 2015 between Iran and world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the deal in 2018. It is unclear where Israel stands on the resumption of talks.
“Right now [Mr Netanyahu] is using his influence to get support from the US in particular, and European countries, to protect him in some way,” Mr Ocampo said. “But this protection is temporary.”
A nuclear deal, and a subsequent improvement of ties between the US and Iran could also be challenging for Mr Netanyahu's political career, he added.
Gaza effect
Israeli and international analysts have said Mr Netanyahu is deliberately prolonging Israel's offensive in Gaza is to delay his own corruption trial at home.
A month ago, Mr Netanyahu said he would not testify in one of the hearings in his trial after ordering an attack on Gaza that effectively ended a 42-day ceasefire there.
The ICC last year issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant over allegations of crimes against humanity in Gaza. It also issued warrants for three Hamas leaders who are all dead.
Mr Ocampo maintained that efforts to shield Mr Netanyahu from arrest are primarily for political reasons. “The legal decision was taken, it’s clear. The political game is highly complicated and has multiple actors,” he said.
The ICC does not have the ability to execute arrest warrants and has to rely on members of the Rome Statute, the court's founding document, to hand over wanted suspects.
Mr Ocampo said the body was not established to replace existing court systems but to “intervene where they fail”. Still, he believes that the ICC’s arrest warrants against Mr Netanyahu are already having an impact.
France last year said it would adhere to the ICC statutes to arrest Mr Netanyahu but President Emmanuel Macron later said the Israeli Prime Minister enjoys “immunity” from arrest.
Mr Ocampo said statements such as these are meaningless and have no bearing on reality. “Whatever they say, the warrant is there. To remove it, you need more than a statement by [Donald] Trump or sanctions against the prosecutor,” he said.
Mr Ocampo highlighted that because on a global scale the ICC, unlike in a national system, cannot send troops to implement a judge’s decision, states have to decide what to do about outstanding warrants for arrest.
The former ICC prosecutor believes that the US’s close relationship with Israel, will prompt Mr Trump to attempt to “protect” Mr Netanyahu from arrest. One way to do to that, he said, is for the US to play a role in the UN Security Council, where it has veto power, to suspend the investigation against Mr Netanyahu in exchange for peace in Gaza.
During the first week of April, Hungary announced it was withdrawing from the ICC as Mr Netanyahu visited his ally Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
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Company%20profile
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Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
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The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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If you go
Flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh with a stop in Yangon from Dh3,075, and Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh with its partner Bangkok Airlines from Dh2,763. These trips take about nine hours each and both include taxes. From there, a road transfer takes at least four hours; airlines including KC Airlines (www.kcairlines.com) offer quick connecting flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville from about $100 (Dh367) return including taxes. Air Asia, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville from $54 each way. Next year, direct flights are due to launch between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, which will cut the journey time by a third.
The stay
Rooms at Alila Villas Koh Russey (www.alilahotels.com/ kohrussey) cost from $385 per night including taxes.
Ibrahim's play list
Completed an electrical diploma at the Adnoc Technical Institute
Works as a public relations officer with Adnoc
Apart from the piano, he plays the accordion, oud and guitar
His favourite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach
Also enjoys listening to Mozart
Likes all genres of music including Arabic music and jazz
Enjoys rock groups Scorpions and Metallica
Other musicians he likes are Syrian-American pianist Malek Jandali and Lebanese oud player Rabih Abou Khalil
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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
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Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
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Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
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- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
