Netanyahu asks Biden not to lift sanctions on ICC officials
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked U.S. President Joe Biden during a recent phone conversation to keep sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) officials, imposed by the administration of former President Donald Trump, Axios reported, citing Israeli officials.
In January, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said the Biden administration would review ICC officials’ sanctions by Mr. Trump’s administration.
According to the media outlet, Tel Aviv is concerned that removing sanctions will hamper Israel’s efforts to stop a potential investigation by the ICC into alleged was crimes conducted by the Israeli military in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The removal of sanctions may also signal to the ICC that Washington is not opposed to the investigation.
Earlier in February, the ICC ruled that it had jurisdiction to open an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Israel in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.
Mr. Netanyahu called the announcement “pure antisemitism.”
In December 2019, ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said there was sufficient evidence to open a full investigation into possible war crimes committed in Palestine.
The announcement was made after the conclusions of a nearly five-year preliminary examination into the situation in Palestine.
The examination primarily focused on the 2014 Gaza War and Israel’s possible “intentionally launching disproportionate attacks” and looked into the incidents at the Gaza border with Israel in March 2018, which resulted in the killing of over 200 individuals, including 40 children.
In March 2020, the ICC authorised an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by parties to the conflict in Afghanistan, including U.S. personnel.
In response, on June 11, 2020, U.S. Mr. Trump had issued an executive order authorising sanctions against ICC officials.
In September, then U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo noted that Ms. Bensouda from the Gambia and the head of the ICC Jurisdiction, Complementarity and Cooperation Division, Phakiso Mochochoko from Lesotho, were added to the Office of Foreign Assets Control’s Specially Designated Nationals List.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Ibadan
Oyo Terrorists: ASNAT hails Oriiire schoolchildren’s military rescue operation
The Association of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian military for rescuing abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo state.
States
Navy reaffirms commitment to national development through civil-military relations
Nigerian Navy chief Idi Abbas has reaffirmed commitment to national development through strengthened civil-military relations and sustainable community development initiatives.
Agriculture
Gov Okpebholo signs Edo agriculture college bill
The new law changes the institution’s name from Edo State College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to Edo State College of Agriculture, Science and Technology.
NationWide
De-registration of ADC, Accord Party, APP, AA, ZLP: Appeal Court reserves judgement
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday reserved judgment in appeals challenging the Federal High Court’s decision ordering INEC to deregister five opposition political parties.
Diaspora
Nigerian diaspora community says Jimoh Ibrahim’s appointment yielding results
The Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians applauded President Bola Tinubu for appointing Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s UN ambassador.
States
School Abduction: Oyo assembly backs Gov Makinde’s call for international investigation
The lawmaker cautioned the public and the Nigerian Senate against misinterpreting the purpose of the state governor’s call for an international investigation.
