Tuesday, May 21, 2024

*) ICC prosecutor seeks Gaza ‘genocide’ arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/icc-prosecutor-seeks-gaza-genocide-arrest-warrants-for-netanyahu-gallant-18164417 The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has said he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in connection with their actions during Israel’s seven-month war on Gaza. Karim Khan said he believes Netanyahu and his Defence Minister Yoav Gallant are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The prosecutor must request the warrants from a pre-trial panel of three judges, who take on average two months to consider the evidence and determine if the proceedings can move forward. *) Palestinians in Gaza outraged over ICC request to arrest Hamas leaders https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/palestinians-in-gaza-outraged-over-icc-request-to-arrest-hamas-leaders-18164527 Palestinians in besieged Gaza have expressed frustration and anger about the International Criminal Court's request seeking arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders. Yasser al Satari, a Palestinian in Rafah, said the ICC has "equated the victim with executioner," making the "victim and executioner equal." Another displaced Palestinian Mohammad Abdel of Nuseirat camp said those who are defending their land cannot be considered war criminals. *) Israel’s onslaught in Gaza ‘not genocide’: Biden https://www.trtworld.com/content/article/live-blog-israels-onslaught-in-gaza-not-genocide-biden-18164529 US President Joe Biden has defended Israel’s ongoing carnage in besieged Gaza, saying that what it is happening in the blockaded enclave is “not genocide.” Biden also rejected the decision by International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan to seek arrest warrants for a pair of senior Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Since October last year, Israel has killed more than 35,000 people — majority of them babies, children and women — and wounded over 79,000, while some 10,000-plus Palestinians are estimated to be buried under debris of bombed homes. *) Trump’s ‘hush money’ trial enters critical phase as prosecution rests case https://www.trtworld.com/us-and-canada/trumps-hush-money-trial-enters-critical-phase-as-prosecution-rests-case-18164525 Approximately five weeks, 19 witnesses, reams of documents and a dash of salacious testimony later, the prosecution up against Donald Trump has rested its case, handing over to the defence before closing arguments set for next week. The defence called its first witness, the paralegal of Trump lawyer Todd Blanche, to kick off their case that sees the former president accused of covering up hush money payments to an adult movie actress over an alleged encounter that could have derailed his 2016 White House bid. Monday saw extended quibbling among the legal teams that, along with the upcoming holiday weekend, means closing arguments that the judge had hoped could start on Tuesday are now set for next week. And finally… *) Türkiye declares a day of national mourning for Iran’s Raisi https://www.trtworld.com/turkiye/turkiye-declares-a-day-of-national-mourning-for-irans-raisi-18164508 Türkiye will observe a day of national mourning over the death of Iran’s Ebrahim Raisi, the country’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said after his late counterpart perished in a helicopter crash. The crash also resulted in the deaths of Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, as well as that of Malik Rahmeti, the governor of East Azerbaijan province, and Imam Ali Hashim of Tabriz province.