Israeli officials suspect possible issuing of International Criminal Court arrest warrants
Prime Minister Benjamin said the prospect of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants for government officials due to Israel’s conduct in the ongoing Israel-Hamas War would be a “scandal on a historic scale”. The ICC – which can charge individuals with war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide – is investigating Hamas’ Oct. 7 cross-border attack and Israel’s assault on Gaza. Although Israel is not a member of the ICC, the Palestinian territories are a member state. ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan has stated the court has jurisdiction over potential war crimes committed both by Hamas fighters and Israeli forces.
Information from Times, New York Times, Reuters.
Israeli Leaders Concerned About Possible ICC Arrest Warrants | TIME
Israel’s Netanyahu says any ICC arrest warrants would be scandal on historic scale | Reuters
National wave of police crackdowns on pro-Palestine university protests unfolding
University students have led nationwide pro-Palestine protests amidst the Israel-Hamas War, with many protests inspired by demonstrators at Columbia University Police have arrested more than 800 students nationwide since detainments at Columbia on Apr. 18. Dozens of university protests are happening, and arrests have been made at 18 university campuses so far. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, declared on Apr. 30 that freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly were “fundamental to society”. Mr. Türk added that violent conduct should be addressed on a case-by-case basis rather than sweeping measures “that impute to all members of a protest the unacceptable viewpoints of a few”.
Information from New York Times, UN News, AP News.
More Than 200 Protesters Arrested at 4 U.S. Campuses – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Gaza protests: UN rights chief flags ‘disproportionate’ police action on US campuses | UN News
Gaza war protests have emerged across US college campuses | AP News
Russia escalates missile attacks on Ukrainian power plants and railway system
Russia launched 34 missiles against Ukraine on Apr. 27, targeting power plants in the south and west of the country. Ukraine’s air force announced that 21 of the missiles had been shot down by Ukrainian air defenses. At a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on Friday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pledged additional munitions and gear for Ukraine’s air defense launchers. Russia also said its air defense systems intercepted more than 60 Ukrainian drones targeting an oil refinery and infrastructure facilities, with no casualties or serious damage reported. This attack represents a part of Russia’s concerted effort to target Ukraine’s energy facilities, with one of Ukraine’s largest power plants being destroyed earlier in April.
Information from AP News, UN News, Reuters.
Russia renews attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector | AP News
Ukraine: Civilians killed and injured as attacks on power and rail systems intensify | UN News
Russian missiles pound power plants in central and western Ukraine | Reuters
