Amal Clooney Backs ICC's Move to Pursue Arrest Warrants for Israeli and Hamas Leaders
Renowned human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has joined a team of legal advisors urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to pursue arrest warrants against the prominent figures of Israel and Hamas for alleged violations.
Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, along with other legal experts, recently provided advice to the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor regarding the possible issuance of arrest warrants for the top leaders of Israel and Hamas.
The ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, organized a panel to examine the evidence and legal reasoning supporting his request for warrants against three Hamas leaders and two Israeli politicians, which includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A detailed legal report was released on Monday, stating that the panel had found "reasonable grounds to believe" that the individuals mentioned in the arrest warrants have committed war crimes or crimes against humanity.
Clooney, known for representing victims of mass atrocities, received online criticism before her announcement for not addressing Israel's siege on Gaza. In a statement posted on her Clooney Foundation for Justice website on Monday, she clarified her involvement in advising Khan.
"Over four months ago, I was approached by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to help assess evidence of possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Israel and Gaza," the statement mentioned. "I accepted the invitation and became part of a team of global legal experts assigned to review this important matter."
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In a recent interview, the ICC prosecutor revealed that the panel's findings were unanimous, even with members coming from different backgrounds. Amal Clooney, a member of the panel, stated that she joined because of her belief in the rule of law and the importance of protecting civilian lives. She emphasized that the law protecting civilians during war was established over a century ago and is applicable in every country, regardless of the reasons for conflict.
The eight-person legal panel, which included well-known legal experts like Theodor Meron and Lord Justice Fulford, unanimously decided that the court had jurisdiction over crimes in Palestinian territories and by Palestinian nationals, as stated in Clooney's statement.
The panel also unanimously determined that Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, such as hostage-taking, murder, and crimes of sexual violence.
Clooney mentioned that there were also grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, such as using starvation as a method of warfare, murder, persecution, and extermination.
The next step is for a panel of ICC judges to review Khan's request for the arrest warrants.
Both Hamas and Israeli politicians criticized the arrest warrants. Netanyahu described it as a "travesty of justice" and an "outrageous decision" that unfairly compares Israeli leaders to Hamas members.
This is the first time the ICC has gone after a top leader of a close US ally. Israel and the US are not part of the ICC, but the court says it has authority over Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank since Palestinian leaders accepted the court's rules in 2015.
The Biden administration criticized the ICC's decision, with President Joe Biden stating, "There is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas."
Amal Clooney, a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers and adjunct professor at Columbia Law School, is married to actor George Clooney. Together, they founded the Clooney Foundation for Justice, providing free legal aid to victims of abuses of power.
She has helped Yazidi victims of genocide in the only three cases against ISIS members worldwide. She also supported victims in Darfur and worked to free political prisoners like journalists and opposition figures globally.
CNN's Ivana Kottasová contributed to this report.
Editor's P/S:
This article highlights the complex and controversial legal proceedings surrounding the potential issuance of arrest warrants for top leaders of Israel and Hamas by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The involvement of renowned human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, known for her advocacy for victims of mass atrocities, adds a layer of intrigue and credibility to the proceedings.
The panel's unanimous findings of "reasonable grounds to believe" war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by both Hamas and Israeli leaders underscore the gravity of the allegations. The next step of reviewing the arrest warrant request by a panel of ICC judges will be crucial in determining the future course of this landmark case. The international community will closely monitor these developments, as they have the potential to set precedents and impact the accountability of leaders in conflict zones.
