Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with the Axios AM and PM newsletters. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on the day's biggest business stories
Subscribe to the Axios Closer newsletter for insights into the day’s business news and trends and why they matter.
Sign up for Axios Pro Rata
Dive into the world of dealmakers across VC, PE and M&A with Axios Pro Rata. Delivered daily to your inbox by Dan Primack and Kia Kokalitcheva.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with the Axios Sports newsletter. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Des Moines newsletter.
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Tampa Bay newsletter.
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Want a daily digest of the top Nashville news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Nashville newsletter.
Want a daily digest of the top Columbus news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Columbus newsletter.
Want a daily digest of the top Dallas news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Dallas newsletter.
Want a daily digest of the top Austin news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Austin newsletter.
Want a daily digest of the top Atlanta news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Atlanta newsletter.
Want a daily digest of the top Philadelphia news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Philadelphia newsletter.
Want a daily digest of the top Chicago news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Chicago newsletter.
Sign up for Axios NW Arkansas
Stay up-to-date on the most important and interesting stories affecting NW Arkansas, authored by local reporters
Want a daily digest of the top DC news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios DC newsletter.
International Criminal Court clears way for Israel war crimes probe
The aftermath of the 2014 war in Gaza. Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images
A panel of judges from the International Criminal Court on Friday cleared the way for an investigation against Israel and Hamas for alleged war crimes in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.
Why it matters: An ICC prosecutor could now investigate alleged war crimes during the 2014 war in Gaza, as well as the construction of West Bank settlements by Israel.
The backstory: The prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, had asked the judges to determine whether she had jurisdiction to investigate "the situation in Palestine."
- The ICC has jurisdiction only in states that are party to the Rome Statute, which Israel itself is not.
- So the jurisdiction question boiled down to whether Palestine should be considered a state. In a 2-1 decision, the judges ruled that it should be, and that the investigation could therefore proceed.
Flashback: Bensouda announced the potential investigation in December 2019, and Israel and the Trump administration immediately began attempting to mobilize opposition to try to convince the judges to block it.
- The Trump administration also announced sanctions against Bensouda and threatened to sanction the judges. Israeli officials don't think it's a coincidence that the judges waited to announce their decision until President Biden assumed office.
Driving the news: The decision was published on Friday evening while the Israeli government was shut down for Shabbat. Israeli officials were furious not only about the decision but also the timing.
What they're saying:
"The ICC decision... is a victory for right, justice, freedom and moral values in the world."— Palestinian minister for civilian affairs Hussein al-Sheikh
"The ICC proved again it is a political body and not a legal body. The ICC disregards real war crimes and is persecuting Israel — a democracy who embraces rule of law and who is not a member of the court. We will continue defending our citizens and soldiers from legal persecution."— Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
What's next: The decision goes back to Bensouda, who will have to decide how she wants to proceed.