Latest news with #IDF-linked
The National
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
UK Government refuses to comment as Donald Trump sanctions ICC judges
The move, which saw US secretary of state Marco Rubio accuse the top international court of 'lawfare' against Israel, was widely condemned. France's government expressed 'dismay' that a French judge was among those sanctioned, saying the US actions were "in contradiction to the principle of an independent judiciary". United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the sanctions undermine the foundation of international justice, adding: "The [US] decision imposes severe impediments on the functioning of the office of the prosecutor." READ MORE: 'Let's pick a fight': Ross Greer pitches alternative Scottish independence strategy And the ICC itself said it 'deplores' the sanctions, calling them "a flagrant attack" against the independence of an impartial judicial institution. However, the UK Labour Government has refused to say anything at all. Asked for a statement in response to the US sanctions, the Foreign Office declined to say anything on the record. Donald Trump's administration has targeted Nicolas Yann Guillou of France, Nazhat Shameem Khan of Fiji, Mame Mandiaye Niang of Senegal, and Kimberly Prost of Canada, all of whom have been involved in cases linked to Israel and the United States. The designations freeze any US assets the individuals may have and essentially cut them off from the US financial system. "United States has been clear and steadfast in our opposition to the ICC's politicisation, abuse of power, disregard for our national sovereignty, and illegitimate judicial overreach," Rubio said. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is accused of crimes against humanity by ICC prosecutorsGuillou is an ICC judge who presided over a pre-trial panel that issued the arrest warrant for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Khan and Niang are the court's two deputy prosecutors. Canadian Judge Prost served on an ICC appeals chamber that, in March 2020, unanimously authorized the ICC prosecutor to investigate alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Afghanistan since 2003, including examining the role of US service members. In February, when Trump threatened to sanction ICC officials who worked on cases against the US, the UK was one of 79 countries to sign a statement in support of the court's independence. "We reaffirm our continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality and integrity of the ICC," the statement said. READ MORE: UK Government-owned non-profit has over £1.4m contract with IDF-linked firm "The court serves as a vital pillar of the international justice system by ensuring accountability for the most serious international crimes, and justice for victims." At the time, the US also sanctioned British lawyer Karim Khan, the ICC's chief prosecutor. Khan had successfully sought an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Netanyahu, who is also accused of spearheading genocide in Palestine by international experts, has been defended by Trump's administration. The US president accused the ICC of having 'abused its power by issuing baseless warrants' against Israeli ministers. Netanyahu welcomed the US decision to sanction four further ICC officials. Neither Israel nor the US are signatories to the Rome Statute which established the ICC.
The National
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
UK Government refuse to comment as Donald Trump sanctions ICC judges
The move, which saw US secretary of state Marco Rubio accuse the top international court of 'lawfare' against Israel, was widely condemned. France's government expressed 'dismay' that a French judge was among those sanctioned, saying the US actions were "in contradiction to the principle of an independent judiciary". United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the sanctions undermine the foundation of international justice, adding: "The [US] decision imposes severe impediments on the functioning of the office of the prosecutor." READ MORE: 'Let's pick a fight': Ross Greer pitches alternative Scottish independence strategy And the ICC itself said it 'deplores' the sanctions, calling them "a flagrant attack" against the independence of an impartial judicial institution. However, the UK Labour Government has refused to say anything at all. Asked for a statement in response to the US sanctions, the Foreign Office declined to say anything on the record. Donald Trump's administration has targeted Nicolas Yann Guillou of France, Nazhat Shameem Khan of Fiji, Mame Mandiaye Niang of Senegal, and Kimberly Prost of Canada, all of whom have been involved in cases linked to Israel and the United States. The designations freeze any US assets the individuals may have and essentially cut them off from the US financial system. "United States has been clear and steadfast in our opposition to the ICC's politicisation, abuse of power, disregard for our national sovereignty, and illegitimate judicial overreach," Rubio said. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is accused of crimes against humanity by ICC prosecutorsGuillou is an ICC judge who presided over a pre-trial panel that issued the arrest warrant for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Khan and Niang are the court's two deputy prosecutors. Canadian Judge Prost served on an ICC appeals chamber that, in March 2020, unanimously authorized the ICC prosecutor to investigate alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Afghanistan since 2003, including examining the role of US service members. In February, when Trump threatened to sanction ICC officials who worked on cases against the US, the UK was one of 79 countries to sign a statement in support of the court's independence. "We reaffirm our continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality and integrity of the ICC," the statement said. READ MORE: UK Government-owned non-profit has over £1.4m contract with IDF-linked firm "The court serves as a vital pillar of the international justice system by ensuring accountability for the most serious international crimes, and justice for victims." At the time, the US also sanctioned British lawyer Karim Khan, the ICC's chief prosecutor. Khan had successfully sought an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Netanyahu, who is also accused of spearheading genocide in Palestine by international experts, has been defended by Trump's administration. The US president accused the ICC of having 'abused its power by issuing baseless warrants' against Israeli ministers. Netanyahu welcomed the US decision to sanction four further ICC officials. Neither Israel nor the US are signatories to the Rome Statute which established the ICC.
The National
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Israel begins first stages of planned assault on Gaza City
Israel's troops have established a foothold on the outskirts of the city after days of intense bombing and artillery fire. Hundreds of Palestinians in the Zeitoun and Sabra neighbourhoods of Gaza City have left towards the north-western part of the city. The ground offensive has prompted UN Secretary General António Guterres to renew calls for an immediate ceasefire "to avoid the death and destruction" an assault would "inevitably cause". READ MORE: Student Loans Company slammed for public contract with IDF-linked firm Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is "shortening the timelines" for seizing what he described as "the last terror strongholds" in Gaza. An Israeli military spokesman said on Wednesday that troops were already operating in the Zeitoun and Jabalia areas to lay the groundwork for the offensive, which Defence Minister Israel Katz approved on Tuesday and which will be put to the security cabinet later this week. In a statement, Hamas accused the Israeli leader of continuing a "brutal war against innocent civilians in Gaza City" and criticised what it said was his "disregard" for a new ceasefire proposal from regional mediators. Israel has yet to formally respond to the plan. About 60,000 Israeli reservists are being called up for the beginning of September to free up active-duty personnel for the operation. The plan also includes extending the service of 20,000 additional reservists who are already on active duty. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza City are expected to be ordered to evacuate and head to southern Gaza. Since October 7 2023, 62,004 Palestinians have been killed and 156,230 wounded by the Israeli military. READ MORE: Kemi Badenoch tells Tory councils to challenge asylum hotels French President Emmanuel Macron has warned Israel's plan "can only lead to disaster for both peoples and risks plunging the entire region into a cycle of permanent war". The International Committee of the Red Cross also said further displacement and an intensification of hostilities "risk worsening an already catastrophic situation" for Gaza's 2.1 million population. Last week, Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said he would approve plans for a project titled E1, which would see 3000 homes built in order to connect occupied territories in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. The move would effectively 'bury' any plans from Western governments to recognise a Palestinian state, which the UK Government said it would do by late September if Israel does not take 'substantive steps' to end the brutality in Gaza.
The National
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
SNP MSP tells Labour hopeful to apologise for Gaelic 'disrespect'
Vonnie Sandlan, who works as head of office for Dunfermline and Dollar MP Graeme Downie, announced on Twitter/X on Tuesday that she had been shortlisted to be a Scottish Labour candidate in the Glasgow Central constituency for the 2026 Holyrood election. In response to the post, a previous attack she had made on Gaelic education spending was highlighted, when she branded it 'middle-class quasi-private education'. She added that she believed Gaelic was a 'regional, not national' language. Sandlan defended her comments after they resurfaced, saying: "I don't make any apologies for wanting better for the many, many Glasgow children who are unable to access their right to education as their needs are not being effectively met." READ MORE: Student Loans Company slammed for public contract with IDF-linked firm Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar and a Gaelic speaker, has said Sandlan must issue a full apology, adding that her party must make clear if it respects the language. 'These comments are depressingly ill informed and deeply disrespectful to Scotland's Gaelic-speaking communities. Ms Sandlan should issue a full unreserved apology," he said. "Gaelic is one of Scotland's national languages. The SNP Government has strengthened its status in law through the Scottish Languages Act 2025, expanded Gaelic-medium education, and provided funding to protect vital community development roles. "Far from being elitist, Gaelic-medium schools are council-run and open to families from every background. 'Labour should make clear whether they respect Gaelic as part of our shared national heritage, or whether they support a candidate who undermines and disrespects it.' Previously, Sandlan worked as the president of the National Union of Students for Scotland for several years. According to her LinkedIn profile, she has also previously worked as a senior policy officer for Colleges Scotland and a communications and public affairs manager for the Equality and Human Rights Commission. On the same profile, Sandlan's bio says she has a 'low tolerance threshold for injustice, and a values set which is rooted in communities'.
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
Western Isles MSP says Labour hopeful must apologise for anti-Gaelic comments
Vonnie Sandlan, who works as head of office for Dunfermline and Dollar MP Graeme Downie, announced on Twitter/X on Tuesday she had been shortlisted to be a Scottish Labour candidate in the Glasgow Central constituency for the 2026 Holyrood election. In response to the post, a previous attack she had made on Gaelic education spending was highlighted, when she branded it 'middle-class quasi-private education'. She added that she believed Gaelic was a 'regional, not national' language. Sandlan defended her comments after they had resurfaced, saying: "I don't make any apologies for wanting better for the many, many Glasgow children who are unable to access their right to education as their needs are not being effectively met." READ MORE: Student Loans Company slammed for public contract with IDF-linked firm Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar and a Gaelic speaker, has said Sandlan must issue a full apology, adding the party must make clear if it respects the language. 'These comments are depressingly ill informed and deeply disrespectful to Scotland's Gaelic-speaking communities. Ms Sandlan should issue a full unreserved apology," he said. "Gaelic is one of Scotland's national languages. The SNP Government has strengthened its status in law through the Scottish Languages Act 2025, expanded Gaelic-medium education, and provided funding to protect vital community development roles. Far from being elitist, Gaelic-medium schools are council-run and open to families from every background. 'Labour should make clear whether they respect Gaelic as part of our shared national heritage, or whether they support a candidate who undermines and disrespects it.' Previously, Sandlan worked as the president of the National Union of Students for Scotland for several years. According to her LinkedIn profile, she has also previously worked as a senior policy officer for Colleges Scotland and a communications and public affairs manager for the Equality and Human Rights Commission. On the same profile, Sandlan's bio says she has a 'low tolerance threshold for injustice, and a values set which is rooted in communities'.
