war crimes Archives - Human Rights Haggadah

Stop Calling the ICC Antisemitic: Four Better Ways to Respond Instead

Leave a Comment / Israel / By Shlomo Levin

A three-judge panel at the International Criminal Court recently approved arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza. In response, Netanyahu declared the warrant was issued by, “biased judges who are motivated by antisemitic hatred of Israel.” Transportation Minister Miri Regev added, “This is modern antisemitism in the guise of justice.” But calling the …

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Why the Pager Attack Causes Alarm: Condemnations are Biased, but Concerns Are Real

Leave a Comment / Israel / By Shlomo Levin

My purpose here is not to pass judgment or even give an opinion as to whether the pager attack was right or wrong. (For a more scholarly and in-depth analysis of the legal aspects see this article on Just Security or this thorough review from West Point.) I also do not want to join (or …

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ICC Indictments- Now the Judges’ Dilemma

Leave a Comment / Israel / By Shlomo Levin

On May 20th, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan announced that he was seeking arrest warrants for both Israeli and Hamas leaders for Gaza war crimes. However, to be issued, the warrants must still be approved by a panel of three ICC judges. Numerous countries and organizations have submitted ‘friend of the court’ briefs giving reasons why …

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UN Accusations, Israel’s Response: What Gives?

Leave a Comment / Israel / By Shlomo Levin

On June 12th the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) released the results of an investigation into the Gaza war. This included a 59 page section that does a reasonable job of documenting Hamas atrocities. It accuses Hamas of hostage taking, indiscriminate rocket fire, sexual and gender based violence, and more. The report also includes …

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Was the Hostage Rescue Disproportionate?

Leave a Comment / Israel / By Shlomo Levin

The June 8th rescue of four hostages from Gaza was celebrated throughout Israel as joyful family reunions were broadcast throughout the country. Unfortunately, the rescue also resulted in numerous Palestinian casualties. This led to accusations that Israel had used disproportionate force in rescuing the hostages. For example, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called it …

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If Israel’s Leaders Would Just Shut Up Everything With the ICJ Would Be Fine

Leave a Comment / Israel / By Shlomo Levin

Unlike what some media have reported, the International Court of Justice’s May 24th ruling was hardly an indictment of Israel. The main operative clause ordered Israel to, ‘Immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in the Rafah Governorate, which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring …

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Are Criminal Indictments of Israeli Leaders on the Way?

Leave a Comment / Israel / By Shlomo Levin

These last few days the press has been abuzz with rumors that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is on the verge of issuing indictments against Israeli leadership, and that Israel is engaged in furious behind the scenes diplomacy to head this off. Of course no one, including me, knows the exact truth about what’s happening, …

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Discussing War Crimes at the Seder

Leave a Comment / Human Rights & Jewish Values, Israel / By Shlomo Levin

When reciting the ten plagues at the seder, many of us have the custom of spilling drops of wine. My father used to spill a drop from his winecup into a bowl along with water from a pitcher, a splash for each plague and then all the wine and all the water for the last …

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Why Criticize Israel’s Targeted Raid on a Jenin Hospital?

Leave a Comment / Israel / By Shlomo Levin

Last week an undercover team of Israeli soldiers, disguised as doctors, patients, and even a woman carrying a baby, snuck into a Jenin hospital, entered a patient’s room, and killed three people Israel claims were terrorists. This brought international condemnation and accusations of war crimes. Usually we associate war crimes with targeting civilians or causing …

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Don’t Panic Over Accusations That Israel is Committing Genocide

Leave a Comment / Israel / By Shlomo Levin

All it means is that the definition of genocide has been watered down to the point that it applies in nearly every war Charges that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza come fast and furious from politicians, demonstrators, and unfortunately even human rights groups. Obviously, this upsets those of us who believe that this war …

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