5 sentenced in riot-related violence between Dutch and Israeli soccer fans
The first criminal sentences related to riots at a soccer match between a Netherlands club and an Israeli club in Amsterdam last month have been handed down. A judge leveled the sentences on Tuesday, Dec. 24.
The judge handed down a six-month prison sentence to one man, while giving another defendant two and a half months in jail. Two others were given a one-month prison sentence. A fifth man received 100 hours of community service.
The men reportedly range in age from 19 to 32 years old.
Police say one of the defendants mentioned a “Jew Hunt” in a group chat and another described Israeli soccer fans as “cowardly Jews” on a WhatsApp chat.
The chief prosecutor in the case rejected suggestions the attacks amounted to terrorism due to targeted violence. They said the defendants’ actions didn’t qualify as terrorism because the “goal” of the suspects wasn’t to create fear among the people they were attacking.
The five men reportedly have two weeks to appeal their sentences.
The violence outside the soccer stadium led to international uproar and accusations of targeted antisemitic attacks and unruly behavior from Israeli fans. Israeli fans reportedly tore down a Palestinian flag and attacked a taxi.
The riots sent five people to the hospital and left 20 others with minor injuries, according to authorities. Police say they detained more than 60 people during the chaotic scene.
Authorities say the violence took place between pro-Palestinian protesters and Israeli soccer fans.
Prosecutors argued the violence erupted because of “strong pro-Palestinian sentiments and dissatisfaction with the war in Gaza.” They said some rioters took out their anger on Israelis attending the game.
The Nov. 8 match still went on after Netherlands authorities found no “concrete threat” to Israeli fans.
Six more suspects in the riots have trials set for later dates, including three minors.
Police say they are continuing to investigate what happened outside the stadium in early November and have released images of suspects they want the public to help identify.
The hearings come after island nations, in fear of being wiped off the map by rising sea levels, lobbied the International Court of Justice for years to step in to decide “the obligations of states in respect of climate change.”
WATCH LIVE: Antigua and Barbuda, Saudi Arabia, Australia, the Bahamas, Bangladesh and Barbados continue the public hearings in the advisory proceedings on Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change.https://t.co/pmCi4dmYxT
The Hague-based court will hear from 99 countries and more than a dozen intergovernmental organizations over two weeks. Any decision by the court would be non-binding advice and couldn’t directly force wealthy nations into action but it could be the basis for other legal actions, including domestic lawsuits.
United Nations court opens hearings into Israel’s occupation of Palestinian-claimed lands
Historic hearings concerning Israel opened Monday morning, Feb. 19, at the United Nations’ top court in The Hague. But while the country’s ongoing war with Hamas has been brought up, it is not the focus of this case, unlike last month’s ruling by the court that said Israel must take action to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki pleaded with the court to declare Israel’s occupation of Palestinian-claimed land illegal and rule that Israel end its occupation immediately. The foreign minister added that would be the only way a two-state solution survives. And the Israel-Hamas war also became a focal point almost immediately during the hearing.
WATCH LIVE: the State of #Palestine opens the public hearings in the advisory proceedings on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, before the #ICJhttps://t.co/8m54WxxxWf
“2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, half of them children, are besieged and bombed, killed and maimed, starved and displaced,” al-Maliki said. “More than 3.5 million Palestinians in the West Bank, including in Jerusalem, are subjected to colonization of their territory and racist violence that enables it.”
More than a year before the war began, the U.N. General Assembly requested the court rule on Israel’s 57-year occupation of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. These are areas sought by Palestinians for an independent state. The court is set to hear from about 50 nations, including the United States, Britain, China, and Russia. The session is scheduled to last six days, and then the court will issue an advisory opinion, though it is not legally binding on Israel.
Russia takes control of stronghold town of Avdiivka as war in Ukraine nears 2-year mark: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 19, 2024
Almost two years into its invasion of Ukraine, Russia takes control of a key stronghold. And the latest on what we know about the fatal shooting of two police officers and a paramedic in Minnesota. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.
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Ukraine forces withdraw from Avdiivka as 2nd anniversary of war approaches
As the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches, Ukrainian forces withdrew from the key stronghold of Avdiivka, giving Russia its biggest victory in the war in almost a year. Ukraine said it had withdrawn its troops because they were outnumbered after months of intense combat.
UN court opens hearings into Israel’s occupation of Palestinian-claimed land
Historic hearings concerning Israel opened this morning at the United Nations’ top court in The Hague. But while the country’s ongoing war with Hamas is expected to be mentioned, it is not the focus of this case, unlike last month’s ruling by the court that said Israel must take action to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.
More than a year before the war began, the U.N. General Assembly requested the court rule on Israel’s 57-year occupation of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. These are areas sought by Palestinians for an independent state. The court is set to hear from about 50 nations, including the United States, Britain, China, and Russia. The session is scheduled to last six days, and then the court will issue an advisory opinion, though it is not legally binding on Israel.
2 officers, EMT killed responding to domestic violence call in Minnesota
“We are all hurting, our officers, our fire department, our families, all of our staff, our community,” Schwartz said. “We’re heartbroken. Today (Feb. 18, 2024), three members of our team made the ultimate sacrifice for this community. They are heroes.”
Police said officers responded to a domestic violence call of a “family in danger” in the early morning hours – where an armed suspect was barricaded inside a home with family members, including seven children under the age of 15. Authorities said while officers negotiated with the suspect for hours, at one point, the gunman opened fire, killing the two responding officers and EMT.
There was then an exchange of gunfire between police and the suspect – who was pronounced dead a short time later. All family members made it safely out of the home. Police are asking for patience as the investigation is in its early stages.
Houston megachurch holds services a week after deadly shooting
“It’s something that we never dreamed we’d have to deal with. This is our home. Somebody to come in and you kind of feel violated. But again, I’ll go back to God’s on the throne,” Osteen said. “And yeah, I can’t tell you all the details, but I can tell you this — there are so many things you can just see the hand of God.”
“You know, you never question God’s will,” Whitmore said. “But certainly, after the tragedy of last week, he had a purpose in bringing us together to show how united our city is.”
On Sunday, Feb. 11, a shooter, identified as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, walked into the church with her 7-year-old son and started shooting. Moreno was killed during an exchange of gunfire with off-duty police officers working security at the church. Moreno’s 7-year-old son was struck in the head during the exchange and remains in critical condition.
During this Sunday’s Feb. 18 services, Osteen and his congregation prayed for the boy’s recovery. According to a church spokesman, typically 40 to 50 officers work security at the church weekly; he did not know whether that number was higher this Sunday, Feb. 18.
Daytona 500 shifts to historic Monday doubleheader after rain delay
Heavy rain in Florida has led to the postponement of NASCAR’s 66th annual Daytona 500, originally scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 18. This marks the first full-day postponement of the event since 2012, shifting gears from its original plans and setting the stage for a historic Monday, Feb. 19, at Daytona International Speedway.
For the first time, fans will experience a groundbreaking doubleheader, featuring the Daytona 500 and the rain-delayed Xfinity Series race, both taking place on the same day. This unprecedented scheduling offers race enthusiasts a full day of high-speed action. The Weather Channel predicts light rain in Daytona Beach Monday morning, Feb. 19, but expects conditions to clear by early afternoon, promising a smoother start to the day’s events.
‘Oppenheimer’ wins 7 awards at 2024 BAFTA
With less than a month to go before the Oscars, we got a preview of how things might play out at last night’s Feb. 18 British Academy Film Awards. The big winner at the 2024 BAFTAs was Christopher Nolan’s atomic bomb epic “Oppenheimer,” taking home seven awards, including Best Film and Director.
Cillian Murphy won Best Leading Actor, and Robert Downey Jr. won Best Supporting Actor. Now, all eyes will be watching to see if Oppenheimer can have another successful night at the Oscars on March 10.
Top UN court rejects South Africa call for Israel to end war against Hamas
At The Hague in the Netherlands on Friday, Jan. 26, the U.N.’s top court rejected South Africa’s call to end Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip. The nearly unanimous decision by the panel of 17 judges delivered a blow to advocates’ hopes of a ceasefire.
Israel’s war against Hamas is in its fourth month and shows no signs of ending soon. However, the panel did deliver South Africa at least one legal victory. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to “take all measures” to prevent further Palestinian deaths to ensure against claims of genocide.
The court ordered Israel to take legal action against anyone who commits genocide, publicly incites genocide, or is complicit in genocide against Palestinians. The panel also demanded additional steps be taken to ensure humanitarian aid is flowing into Gaza.
Israel said it’s already ensuring aid to the Gaza Strip and these demands will likely change little about their efforts.
“Israel is enabling, working with, we say, international organizations to enable humanitarian relief to the Gaza Strip,” said Pnina Sharvit Baruch, a senior researcher at the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies. “On a practical level, these measures would not necessarily change Israel’s conduct.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the ruling Friday in a recorded address.
“The charge of genocide leveled against Israel is not only false, it’s outrageous, and decent people everywhere should reject it,” Netanyahu said. “Our war is against Hamas terrorists, not against Palestinian civilians. We will continue to facilitate humanitarian assistance and do our utmost to keep civilians out of harm’s way, even as Hamas uses civilians as human shields.”
Other factors the court considered were comments by the defense minister of Israel, who is accused of telling troops on the Gaza border that they were “fighting animals” who were the “ISIS of Gaza.”
The ruling by the ICJ is just the first step in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel. It’s believed a decision by the U.N. may take years.
As the court rejected a call to end fighting, the death toll of Palestinians has now surpassed 26,000 people, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.
Meanwhile, more than 100 Israeli hostages remain at the mercy of Hamas militants. Families of the hostages have pleaded with Israeli leaders to strike a deal to bring the captives home, even storming government meetings.
Israel’s war against Hamas came after a terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023, at a music festival in Israel. The attack left 1,200 dead, and Hamas militants took around 250 people hostage.
As a party to the 1948 Genocide Convention, South Africa urged the ICJ for provisional measures, demanding an immediate halt to military operations in Gaza.
The allegations include the use of 6,000 bombs in the first week, with 2,000-pound bombs hitting safe areas and refugee camps.
South Africa is calling for Israel to refrain from actions violating the Convention, prevent mass expulsion, ensure humanitarian aid access, and safeguard Palestinian lives.
“The State of Israel must, in line with its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide concerning the Palestinian People, a group protected by the Convention, refrain from committing acts outlined in Article 2 of the Convention,” said Vusimuzi Madonsela, the South African ambassador to the Netherlands.
The ICJ hearings are focusing on South Africa’s plea for emergency measures that challenge Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Both nations, parties to the Genocide Convention, define genocide as acts intending to destroy specific groups.
The ICJ sessions are set to continue with Israel presenting its case on Friday. The country will argue against South Africa’s claims of Israeli genocide under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
Addressing the court in The Hague, Friday Jan. 12, Israel’s attorney Gilad Noam said South Africa “has not shown any dispute between itself and the respondent at the time the application was submitted. Indeed, it tried to mislead the court into believing that one had existed.”
Following the conclusion of initial presentations by South Africa and Israel at the ICJ, justices must now determine if there are adequate grounds to approve South Africa’s request for provisional measures against Israel. The aim is to prevent further harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
ICC issues arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin for war crimes
The International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s arrest. The ICC has accused the president of being responsible for war crimes committed in Ukraine. Reuters reported earlier this week the court was expected to hand out several warrants but it wasn’t known at the time which Russian officials would be wanted for alleged war crimes.
Putin, along with Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, are facing charges. The ICC issued the warrant on the grounds of unlawful deportation of children and unlawful transfer of people from Ukraine to Russia. Ukraine has said more than 16,000 children have been illegally transferred to Russia or Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine. A U.S.-backed report by Yale University researchers last month said Russia has held at least 6,000 Ukrainian children at sites in Crimea.
Moscow has repeatedly denied accusations that its forces have committed any war crimes during its invasion of Ukraine. The ICC arrest warrants “have no meaning for our country, including from a legal point of view,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on her Telegram channel.
The U.S. has been an advocate in holding Russians accountable for the ongoing war. The U.S. signed an international agreement to help prosecute war crimes, but the Pentagon has pushed back against sharing Russian war crimes information with the ICC. The Department of Defense said it is concerned such cooperation could set a precedent that could be used to prosecute American troops at the Hague.
These are the first warrants issued in the court’s investigation into the Russia-Ukraine war.
Pentagon doesn’t want to share evidence of Russian war crimes with ICC
The Pentagon is blocking the Biden administration from sharing evidence of Russian war crimes with the International Criminal Court. A New York Times report states the Defense Department is concerned that assisting The Hague will set a precedent of cooperation and lead to the possible prosecution of Americans.
Congress made an exception for this type of cooperation in December. Lawmakers who have been to Ukraine, including Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., assert that America needs to help the court hold war criminals and Vladimir Putin accountable.
“What they have done, and I visited those mass grave sites in Bucha, is absolutely intolerable to the world community. And we need to put that interest above the immediate concerns that may be motivating the Department of Defense to withhold this evidence,” Sen. Blumenthal told Straight Arrow News.
American intelligence agencies have reportedly gathered information about Russian officials deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure and abducting thousands of Ukrainians and forcibly bringing them to Russia.
According to the report, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is objecting to the information sharing and President Biden has yet to make a final decision. Officials involved in the matter said the intelligence agencies and Departments of Justice and State are all in favor of providing the intel.
“I understand the Pentagon’s reluctance to potentially submit evidence and establish a precedent for providing facts that could be damaging to our troops if they were ever brought before a court,” Sen. Blumenthal said. “But I see no realistic possibility that our troops will ever be facing that kind of a court of justice.”
A spokesperson for the National Security Council said the government supports holding Russian war criminals accountable and they are working to expose what the Russian forces are doing.