International Court of Justice

Why ICC going after Smotrich is a bigger deal than going after Netanyahu - analysis

Without major changes in Israeli policy, the arrest warrant against Smotrich could be Israel's darkest legal hour, with cascading consequences the likes of which cannot be foreseen.

|ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich holds a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem, May 19, 2026.
The United Nations headquarters before a meeting on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty at the UN, in New York City, US, April 27, 2026.

UN backs world court climate opinion, Israel, US among few to oppose

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the vote, in which 28 countries abstained, underscored that governments are responsible for protecting citizens from the "escalating climate crisis."

|ByREUTERS
A general view of the court on the day the International Court of Justice is due to rule on a request by Nicaragua to order Germany to stop exporting weapons to Israel and to reverse its decision to stop funding UNRWA, the Hague, Netherlands, April 23, 2024.

Germany pulls support for Israel in ICJ genocide case, battling accusations of aiding Israel

“We are now ourselves part of a contentious case before the ICJ and have therefore decided not to make use of this option,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Josef Hinterseher.

|BySHIRA LI BARTOV/JTA
A view from the public hearing at the International Court of Justice case on Israel's humanitarian obligations to Palestinians in Gaza, the Hague, Netherlands, April 29, 2025.

US formally defends Israel in International Court of Justice genocide case

The US said in a formal filing that the claim of genocide was “false” and part of a broader campaign “to delegitimize the State of Israel and the Jewish people and to justify or encourage terrorism."

|BySHIRA LI BARTOV/JTA

Israel probably missed chance to flip narrative at ICC, but still has chance at ICJ - analysis

The volatile mix of politics and law is always a piece of international court cases, but when cases are on the fence, the impact of that mix looms larger.

AUGUST 25, 2025ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
Benjamin Netanyahu in front of the ICC headquarters (illustrative).

Netherlands lists Israel as threatening state actor alongside Iran, Russia, Turkey

The National Coordinator for Terrorism and Security (NCTV) report, released on July 17, lists Israel as one of the countries that aims to "control public opinion and political decision making."

JULY 27, 2025ByMATHILDA HELLER
An illustration showing the flags of the Netherlands (L) and Israel (R).

In landmark opinion, World Court says countries must address climate change threat

"Climate change treaties establish stringent obligations on states," judge Yuji Iwasawa said, adding that failing to comply with them was a breach of international law.

JULY 23, 2025ByREUTERS
Climate activists and campaigners demonstrate outside the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ahead of the reading of an advisory opinion that is likely to determine the course of future climate action across the world, The Hague, Netherlands, July 23, 2025.

Striking civilian targets: Iran's violation of international law must be punished - opinion

If Iran’s campaign of civilian targeting remains unchallenged, the next war may bring further crossing of red lines. However, with one important difference: Next time, it may not be about Israel.

JULY 19, 2025ByGIL LEWINSKY
An illustrative image of destroyed buildings in Tel Aviv.

Spain cancels €285 million missile contract with Israel's Rafael

Last Friday, Spanish Secretary of State for Defense Amparo Valcarce stated that the government was working on "disengagement plans" to avoid depending on Israel "in any way."

JUNE 3, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
The logo of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is pictured at Eurosatory in Villepinte, near Paris, France June 13, 2022

WATCH: What’s at stake for Israel at the ICJ in Gaza genocide suit?

Legal affairs correspondent Sarah Ben-Nun joins the Jerusalem Post Studio to discuss what the hearings could mean for Israel.

APRIL 29, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Judges arrive at the International Court of Justice at the start of a hearing where South Africa requests new emergency measures over Israel's attacks on Rafah, as part of an ongoing case South Africa filed at the ICJ in December last year, The Hague, Netherlands May 17, 2024.

Caught between the ICJ and Smotrich: Will Netanyahu allow humanitarian aid into Gaza? - analysis

Netanyahu is trying to walk a tightrope between avoiding new problems with the ICJ and new problems with Smotrich threatening to topple his coalition.

APRIL 23, 2025ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
Palestinians gather to receive aid, Jabalya refugee camp, Gaza Strip, March 2025.

What does Israel’s six month delay of ICJ genocide case mean? - analysis

There are unlikely to be any major new consequences against Israel legally or diplomatically regarding the genocide allegations before sometime in 2026.

APRIL 22, 2025ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
IRELAND HAS joined South Africa in its accusations of genocide at Israel. Here, jurist Malcolm Shaw looks on at the ICJ during a ruling on South Africa’s request to order a halt to Israel’s Rafah offensive in Gaza in May.

ICJ publishes order extending Israeli response to genocide claims by six months

South Africa, and other extra interventions against Israel are backfiring.

APRIL 17, 2025ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
The judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, the Netherlands.

Nicaragua withdraws intervention request in South Africa's ICJ case

To date, Libya, Mexico, “Palestine,” Spain, Turkey, Chile, the Maldives, Bolivia, Cuba, Ireland and Belize have initiated proceedings to intervene in the case under Articles 62 and 63.

APRIL 6, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
IRELAND HAS joined South Africa in its accusations of genocide at Israel. Here, jurist Malcolm Shaw looks on at the ICJ during a ruling on South Africa’s request to order a halt to Israel’s Rafah offensive in Gaza in May.