I am starting to think Israel overplayed its hand with the "Amsterdam pogrom" story. Yes, the uptake among politicians was swift and strong, but the people's backlash once they realized the stories were false was incredibly damaging to Israel's credibility and that of the media.
The hubris of calling fights started by racist, far-right, violent, football hooligans an "antisemitic pogrom" actually drew more attention to Israel's lies, the complicity of elites, and the utter racism and toxicity of Israel's political culture.
Oct 30 • 6 tweets • 1 min read
Canada's Israel lobby is seeking to remake Canadian laws to harass, intimidate, and even jail critics of Israel. We must resist and we must continue to speak out about human rights violations.
The Israel Lobby Wants You Suspended, Fired Or In Prison readthemaple.com/the-israel-lob…
I support hate speech and hate crimes laws (which are rarely used in the Canadian justice system), but restrictions on speech must be undertaken carefully and balanced against the need to protect and facilitate free expression.
May 20 • 32 tweets • 7 min read
A 🧵with some initial thoughts on the big news that #ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan is seeking arrest warrants for 5 individuals in relation to the #Palestine situation. This includes both Hamas & Israeli leaders. #Gaza #Israel #Netanyahu
Here is his statement: icc-cpi.int/news/statement…
The 5 individuals:
- Yahya Sinwar (Head of Hamas in Gaza)
- Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri (Commander-in-Chief, Al-Qassam Brigades)
- Ismail Haniyeh (Head of Hamas Political Bureau)
- Benjamin Netanyahu (Prime Minister of Israel)
- Yoav Gallant (Minister of Defence of Israel)
Mar 14 • 12 tweets • 2 min read
Hi @BenCarrwpg. I am both a constituent and a professor of international human rights law (focussing on genocide and international crimes). I appreciate your transparency and good faith attempt to wrangle with some complex issues. A few thoughts (not a detailed legal analysis)..
I am glad you support the continuance of aid via UNRWA, the two-state solution, and a ban on the export of weapons from Canada to Israel; I'm glad you condemn the seizure of land in the West Bank by Israeli settlers, which is contrary to international law.
Jan 18 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
If the phrase "from the river to the sea" is inherent incitement to genocide (as I have heard many people argue) then #Israel is calling for the #genocide of the Palestinians.
* For the record, I think this phrase needs to be carefully considered in context, whether used by Jewish Israelis or Palestinians. Where it gets dicey, of course, is if it is understood to mean that the "other" group is to be wiped out.
Apr 15, 2021 • 70 tweets • 36 min read
#Ongwen will soon be delivering his unsworn statement (at the start of the defence arguments in the sentencing hearings). I would imagine the main goal is to produce empathy for Ongwen's experience by putting the judges/public inside his perspective. #ICC#Ongwen's speech is planned for around 45 minutes, followed by Obhof, then Ayena. #ICC
Apr 15, 2021 • 18 tweets • 10 min read
The most interesting aspect of day 1 of the #Ongwen sentencing hearings was the clearly divergent perspectives between the prosecution and victims. #ICC 🧵
Common Legal Representative for Victims Paolina Massidda was shaking her head while the prosecution said: #Ongwen's crimes "would normally warrant a sentence at the very highest level available under the Rome Statute - 30 years or even life imprisonment" #ICC
Apr 9, 2021 • 27 tweets • 14 min read
🧵I've now had a look at the sentencing briefs in #Ongwen, which offer some new perspectives. (Victims: icc-cpi.int/CourtRecords/C…; Prosecution: icc-cpi.int/CourtRecords/C…; and Defence: icc-cpi.int/CourtRecords/C…). The starkest contrast seems to be between the victims and defence. #ICC
The victims (who submitted a joint brief) are recommending a life sentence, the prosecution 20 years, and the defence 10 years (if #Ongwen is not released to undergo Mato Oput).
Feb 3, 2021 • 12 tweets • 6 min read
Things to look for in the #Ongwen verdict (relying partly on input from people familiar w/ the trial that I cannot cite): 1. I think it quite likely Ongwen will be convicted of many of the charges. The Prosecution case was well-executed and evidence is (largely) strong. #ICC2. Areas where the evidence is weaker/contradictory: the attack on Pajule. Ongwen may have been in "sick bay" (LRA field hospital) nursing an injury, and may not have had control over the attack. #Ongwen#ICC
