Israeli politician and former defense minister
New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has acknowledged his administration cannot lawfully execute the International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and has called on the federal government to join the ICC and carry out the warrant ahead of Netanyahus expected UN General Assembly visit in September.
Venezuela has informed the UN of its irrevocable decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, citing a demonstrated geographical bias favoring Africa and Latin America. The move comes as the ICC faces ongoing probes into crimes against humanity and as pressures from the United States intensify against the court.
The International Criminal Court has been grappling with a leadership crisis after Karim Khan faces sexual misconduct allegations. The Assembly of States Parties is convening in New York for a pivotal vote on his future, as support and opposition split among states, human-rights groups, and Palestinian organizations.
The ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu has prompted New York City’s mayor to urge federal action, while the prime minister seeks to address the UN General Assembly. Polls show mixed public opinion on arrest calls in the US, and Netanyahu is pressing on with plans to travel to New York.
Netanyahu has met with Trump in Washington to review three approaches to Iran: a diplomatic deal, sustained economic pressure with a blockade, or a renewed military campaign. The discussions, conducted without public detail, aim to determine the path that best prevents a nuclear Iran while considering global energy impacts.
The Times of Israel reports ongoing confrontations within Israel's ruling coalition over ultra-Orthodox exemptions from military service. Lawmakers have pushed through measures while facing opposition from a shrinking band of dissenters; the issue shapes the political landscape ahead of the upcoming election.
Four US-based rights organisations have filed a federal lawsuit in New York challenging last year’s executive order that authorised US sanctions on International Criminal Court judges, prosecutors and groups that cooperate with the court. The complaint has argued the measures have forced them to curtail work, violated constitutional rights and unlawfully interfered with international justice.
The United States has sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane and a senior trial lawyer, escalating pressure on the International Criminal Court. Tokyo defends its role as ICC backer and calls for restraint while Akane pledges to continue defending the court. The move comes amid broader US pressure on ICC members amid investigations into Israeli actions in Gaza and past concerns about US troops in Afghanistan.
Defence Minister Katz has stated that there is no real solution for Gaza without migration, saying Israel is prepared to relocate Gazans by sea, air, and other means. The idea is being discussed as part of a broader debate over displacement, with international concern growing over humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the West Bank.
The United States has launched a broad campaign to dismantle the ICC, arguing it threatens sovereignty and targets US officials. The push follows arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and other moves linked to Gaza. Governments abroad are defending international justice while warning that unchecked actions could erode due process and undermine global accountability.
The Israeli ministers have floated plans to remove Palestinians from Gaza, while seeking U.S. approval on departures. Saudi, Egyptian, Jordanian and other foreign ministers condemn the move as a risk to peace. The proposals follow earlier statements by Israeli officials and come amid a wider war in Gaza.
The International Court of Justice is hearing Germany’s objections to Nicaragua’s genocide case, arguing the court lacks jurisdiction and that key claims are inadmissible. The hearings come amid ongoing Gaza violence and a wider legal battle over Israel’s actions in the territory. Germany is defending its arms exports while Nicaragua accuses Berlin of facilitating genocide through support for Israel.
Israel’s ministers have signalled plans to remove Palestinians from Gaza, while distant allies condemn the approach. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE and others warn of grave consequences as the United States denies backing such displacement. The issue has intensified debate over Gaza’s future and the path to peace.
Haaretz has published book excerpts saying UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Benjamin Netanyahu in late September 2023 that Hamas was planning a major operation. Haaretz says Netanyahu reacted calmly and did not inform Israel's security chiefs; Netanyahu has denied the call, instructed lawyers to sue Haaretz, and rivals have seized the story ahead of the Oct. 27 election.
Nicaragua argues that Germany’s arms exports to Israel facilitate genocide in Gaza, a claim tied to Genocide Convention obligations. Germany contests jurisdiction as the ICJ hears preliminary objections; the case follows South Africa’s genocide case against Israel and raises questions about interstate accountability.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has used his UN General Assembly address to accuse New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani of antisemitism, of supporting Hamas and of making Jewish New Yorkers feel unsafe. Mamdani has replied that Netanyahu is repeating "baseless lies" and remains subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant; protests and walkouts have followed the speech.
The International Criminal Court is confronting intensified pushback from the United States as multiple states weigh or enact withdrawals from the Rome Statute. Interim prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang says sanctions complicate operations, while some observers warn the court may be forced to alter procedures to preserve independence.
The Guardian and The Times of Israel report on the Venice-winning NAZA documentary by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. Israeli ministers have condemned the film, with the culture minister threatening citizenship revocation for the directors. The IDF denies allegations of planned or approved strikes in Gaza and challenges the film’s anonymous whistleblower approach. The Gaza death toll exceeds 73,000.
Netanyahu has a brief US visit to address the UN General Assembly. He is not spending the night in the US, cancelling a Texas stop, and flights are being redirected amid security concerns and protests. The ICC warrants and political tensions frame the trip, with protests anticipated in New York.
The United States has prepared broad sanctions against the International Criminal Court, aiming to isolate the tribunal. The move follows ICC actions against Israeli leaders and probes into US troops. Washington is weighing penalties on the entire court, with formal announcements anticipated during the UN General Assembly.
Arab warnings from Egypt and the UAE are now corroborated by multiple outlets, including The Atlantic and The Wall Street Journal. The reports describe Israeli leaders receiving cautions about Gaza's volatility in the weeks before the October 7, 2023 assault, with Egypt’s Abbas Kamel and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed reportedly warning of imminent danger.
J Street has formed a Jewish Community Advisory Council to influence U.S. policy toward Israel, drawing on leaders from major Jewish organizations. The move comes amid shifts in American Jewry’s views on Israel and the Gaza war, with concerns about how to balance advocacy and accountability within the community.
Israel marks three years since the Hamas-led attack of Oct. 7, 2023, with memorials, vigils and protests across the country. Activists demand a state commission of inquiry into security failures. The day features national ceremonies, regional gatherings, and a moment of silence at 6:29 a.m. as communities reflect on the war’s toll.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the 2026 Peace Prize to South African jurist Navi Pillay for her decades-long work enforcing international law, including leadership at the Rwanda tribunal, service on multiple international courts and chairing a UN inquiry that concluded Israel committed genocide in Gaza. Pillay received the news while attending a legal forum in Nuremberg.
The European Parliament has awarded the Sakharov Prize to the International Criminal Court as the court faces sweeping U.S. financial sanctions announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The prize recognizes the ICC's work while the United States has banned transactions with the court, frozen ICC assets in U.S. jurisdictions and given U.S. companies six months to wind down business.