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https://nordictimes.com/world/washington-demands-that-the-icc-bend-to-its-will/

World

Comment: Washington demands that the ICC bend to its will

The situation in Gaza

Jenny Piper

The American double standard is striking, and it is astonishing that the White House believes that nothing on this planet can happen without its approval. The US abandoned the ICC when there was a danger that its own soldiers would be convicted of war crimes, and now Washington believes that the court should once again bend to its will.

Published 5 May 2024
– By Jenny Piper
Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv.
3 minute read
This is an opinion piece. The author is responsible for the views expressed in the article.

When the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided last year to issue an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes over the alleged illegal deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia, it was strongly supported by US President Joe Biden, even though the US itself is not a member of the ICC.

These allegations were later refuted when these children turned up in Germany, but of course no one suggested that the erroneous arrest warrant should be withdrawn.

But now that the Hague-based court will soon issue arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials for their roles in alleged war crimes against the Palestinians, it’s a very different story.

Axios reported Monday that Netanyahu has asked Biden to stop the ICC from trying to prosecute him or other officials in his government, while both Republican and Democratic lawmakers in the US have called for retaliation against the ICC if it issues arrest warrants for Israeli leaders.

For example, US Representative Brad Sherman (Democrat, California) has insisted that Washington should retaliate against any attempt to arrest Israeli leaders during its ongoing war with Hamas.

“The International Criminal Court is apparently considering rulings against Israeli leaders for legitimate self-defense”. Such a move would, according to him, turn the court into a “kangaroo court”. The “President [Joe Biden] must condemn this, and I know Congress will ensure consequences for such an absurd decision”.

Ritchie Torres (Democrat, New York) has insisted that both Congress and Biden must respond with “strong consequences” if the ICC issues arrest warrants against Israelis:

The weaponization of international law—in the service of terror—cannot be allowed to stand.

Republicans have made similar statements. Representative Elise Stefanik (Republican, New York) said that “The ICC is propping up Hamas by attempting to punish the only democracy in the Middle East just for defending itself against barbaric terrorism”.

Senator John Fetterman (Democrat, Pennsylvania) said that an attempt to prosecute Israeli leaders “would be a fatal blow to the judicial and moral standing of ICC” and called on Biden to intervene.

Speaker Mike Johnson (Republican, Louisiana) insisted that the ICC has no jurisdiction over Israel and called the possible order “baseless and illegitimate”, adding that it would undermine US national security.

The double standard is striking, and it is astonishing that Americans believe that nothing on this planet can happen without their approval.

The US abandoned the ICC when its own soldiers were in danger of being convicted of war crimes, and now Washington thinks the court should bend to its will.

In a “law-based society”, criminals who break laws are prosecuted, but only if the US likes the charges, not if the accused is a friend of the US.

#hypocrites

#itsokwhenwedoit

 

Jenny Piper

All Jenny Piper's articles can be found on her blog.

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https://nordictimes.com/world/survey-swedes-are-the-worlds-fifth-most-critical-of-israel/

World

Survey: Swedes are the world’s fifth most critical of Israel

The situation in Gaza

Published 11 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Trust in corruption accused Benjamin Netanyahu is also very low in most countries.
3 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

A survey by the American research institute Pew Research Center shows that the world has a predominantly negative attitude toward Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Swedes are among the most critical in the world – only four other countries have a more negative opinion. A full 75 percent of those surveyed in Sweden say they have a somewhat or very negative image of Israel.

The survey was conducted last spring, and in 20 of the 24 countries surveyed, at least half of adults have a negative attitude toward Israel. In countries such as Australia, Greece, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey, the proportion is particularly high, with around 75 percent or more expressing a negative attitude.

Support for Israel is lowest in Turkey, where 93 percent say they have a somewhat or very negative view of the country.

In India, opinions are more evenly divided, with 34 percent having a positive view and 29 percent a negative view. In African countries such as Kenya and Nigeria, the trend is different, with about half or more of those surveyed having a positive attitude toward Israel.

Illustration: Pew Research Center

Age and political affiliation influence

Compared to previous surveys, critical attitudes toward Israel have increased in several countries. In the US, the proportion of adults with a negative attitude has risen by 11 percentage points since March 2022. In the UK, the proportion has increased from 44 percent in 2013 to 61 percent this year.

The survey also shows clear differences based on age and political ideology. In high-income countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Poland, South Korea, and the US, younger people are more likely than older people to take a critical view of Israel, and in the US, the age difference is particularly clear.

Politically, people on the left are more likely to have a negative view than those on the right. In Australia, 90 percent of left-wingers have an unfavorable view, compared with 46 percent of right-wingers. In the US, the figures are 74 percent among liberals and 30 percent among conservatives.

Illustration: Pew Research Center

Low confidence in Netanyahu

Confidence in Benjamin Netanyahu is low in most countries surveyed. Except for Kenya and Nigeria, no more than one-third of adults in any country say they have confidence in his handling of international affairs.

In countries such as Australia, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey, around 75 percent or more have little or no confidence in him. In several of these countries, a majority completely lack confidence in the corruption-accused prime minister.

Here too, there are differences linked to age and ideology. In Hungary, for example, people over the age of 50 are twice as likely to have confidence in Netanyahu as those between the ages of 18 and 34 (40 percent versus 20 percent).

Illustration: Pew Research Center

Ideologically speaking, right-wingers are more likely to support Netanyahu than left-wingers. In France, 25 percent of right-wingers trust him, compared to 12 percent in the center and 8 percent on the left.

Israelis are not particularly happy with developments either. In Israel, 58 percent of residents believe that their country is not very respected, or not respected at all, internationally, while 39 percent believe that it is.

These views are largely unchanged since last year, although the proportion saying that the country is not respected at all has increased from 15 to 24 percent.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/world/israel-boards-greta-thunbergs-ship-we-have-been-kidnapped/

World

Israel boards Greta Thunberg’s ship: “We have been kidnapped”

The situation in Gaza

Published 9 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Greta Thunberg
3 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

On Sunday night, the sailboat Madleen, with climate alarmist activist Greta Thunberg on board, was boarded by Israeli forces in international waters.

The incident occurred at around 2 a.m. when the boat was on its way to Gaza with supplies. According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the ship is now being taken to Israel instead of its original destination, and the passengers are said to be flown back to their home countries soon.

The crew of the Madleen, consisting of twelve people from the left-wing activist group Freedom Flotilla, left Sicily a week ago with Gaza as their destination. Shortly before boarding, at around 1 a.m., they reported that they were “very close” to their destination. Activist Yasemin Acar described how Israeli speedboats surrounded them:

– We suspect that this is psychological warfare and that they have planned this, she said.

The Israeli boats initially withdrew, but two remained nearby with their engines turned off, and shortly thereafter the crew sent an alarm via Telegram:

“The Madleen is under attack in international waters“.

According to Freedom Flotilla, the boat was surrounded by drones that sprayed them with a white chemical substance. They also reported that “communications are blocked and disturbing noises are being played over the radio”. In a later update, a picture was published showing the crew wearing life jackets and holding their hands in the air, with the caption: “The Israeli army has boarded the ship”.

“Kidnapped in international waters”

The Freedom Flotilla claims that its crew has been kidnapped by Israeli forces, and Greta Thunberg has also shared a video clip with this message on social media:

– If you are seeing this video, it means we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters, she says in a video clip recorded before the boarding.

She urged her followers to put pressure on the Swedish government to secure her release.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has not explicitly confirmed that it boarded the boats, but wrote on X that “The ‘selfie yacht’ is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are safe and were provided with sandwiches and water, and are expected to return to their home countries“.

The ministry accused the activists of seeking publicity and added that “there are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip – they do not involve provocations and selfies”.

The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is “closely monitoring the situation“

Another post showed a picture of a soldier handing a plastic-wrapped sandwich to Greta Thunberg, with the caption “Greta Thunberg is currently on her way to Israel, safe and in good spirits“.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the crew will be shown videos of Hamas attacks on October 7 before they are released. He also claims that Thunberg is an anti-Semite who supports Hamas.

– It is appropriate that the anti-Semitic Greta and her fellow Hamas supporters see exactly who the Hamas terrorist organization they came to support and for whom they work is, what atrocities they committed against women, the elderly, and children, and against whom Israel is fighting to defend itself.

The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring the situation. In an email to the state television channel SVT, the Ministry wrote:

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy in Tel Aviv are in contact with local authorities and are closely monitoring the situation. Should consular assistance be required, the embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will assess how we can best help Greta Thunberg resolve her situation”.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/world/growing-number-of-europeans-turning-away-from-israel/

World

Growing number of Europeans turning away from Israel

The situation in Gaza

Published 5 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Under corruption accused Benjamin Netanyahu, the world's trust in Israel has fallen dramatically.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Support for Israel is collapsing in Western Europe. A new poll shows record low confidence and growing anger over the Israeli invasion of Gaza.

After the ceasefire in Gaza collapsed, Israel announced plans to take control of three-quarters of the Palestinian territory in the coming months. Recently, more and more voices have also warned that what is happening is genocide, and that the Israeli plans aim to completely and permanently empty Gaza of Palestinians – so that they can then take control of the area themselves.

At the same time, a new survey by YouGov EuroTrack shows that support for Israel in Western Europe has fallen to record lows since the ground invasion and bombing of Gaza began.

The survey, which covers the UK, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, shows a sharp decline in public opinion toward Israel. Net favorability – the difference between positive and negative ratings – has reached its lowest level since the survey began:

• Germany: -44

• France: -48

• Denmark: -54

Western Europeans’ sympathy for Israel is rapidly declining. Photo: facsimile/Yougov

In Italy (-52) and Spain (-55), the figures are also at record lows or shared lowest levels compared with previous surveys. Only 13–21 percent of respondents in any of the countries have a positive view of Israel, while 63–70 percent express a negative opinion.

Few Western Europeans support Israel’s actions

Support for Israel’s invasion of Gaza is weak. Only 6–16 percent of respondents in the six countries believe that “Israel were right to send troops into Gaza and have generally responded in a proportionate way to the Hamas attacks”. This represents a marginal decline compared with the corresponding survey in October last year.

A minority believe that Israel’s response has been proportionate. Photo: facsimile/Yougov

The perception that Israel’s attacks were justified has also weakened:

• France, Germany, Denmark: 24–25 percent still believe that Israel’s actions are justified.

• United Kingdom: 18 percent

• Italy: 9 percent (lowest)

At the same time, only 5–9 percent believe that Hamas’s initial attacks in late 2023 were justified.

Sympathies shift toward Palestine

Support for Israel has declined significantly. Only 7–18 percent today say they sympathize most with the Israeli side—the lowest or joint lowest rating in five of six countries since the Hamas attacks.

In contrast, between 18 and 33 percent sympathize more with the Palestinian side. In otherwise very pro-Israel Germany, support for each side is now almost evenly divided: 17 percent for Israel, 18 percent for Palestine.

Today, significantly more Europeans sympathize with the Palestinians. Photo: facsimile/Yougov

Confidence in lasting peace in the Middle East is also low among Europeans. Only 15–29 percent believe that both sides will be able to put their differences aside within the next decade.

The French are the most optimistic, with 29 percent believing in a peaceful solution, while the Danes are the most pessimistic, with only 15 percent. Belief in peace has declined by 4–10 percentage points in all countries.

According to analysts, the survey clearly shows how public opinion in Western Europe has shifted since the Hamas attacks in October 2023.

Criticism of Israel’s abuses and war crimes in Gaza is growing rapidly in many countries, while sympathy for Israel appears to be declining as more and more abuses and cases of gross violence against civilians come to light.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/world/jewish-power-leader-time-to-go-full-force-into-gaza/

World

Jewish Power leader: “Time to go full force into Gaza”

The situation in Gaza

Published 30 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Ben-Gvir has long been identified as one of Israel's most belligerent voices - and wants Gaza completely emptied of Palestinians.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Israel’s invasion and bombing of Gaza have been described as among the most extensive in modern times and condemned worldwide because of the high number of civilian casualties.

However, the country’s far-right security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has long been one of the strongest voices calling for further escalation of the situation – now he is insisting that it is time for Israel to “go in with full force” into the already bombed-out territory.

Ben-Gvir, who also leads the Jewish Power (Otzma Yehudit) party, believes that Israel should take control of both Gaza and the West Bank and has been criticized over the years, even in Israel, for praising Jewish terrorists and mass murderers.

Itamar Ben-Gvir also caused a major uproar when he attended the so-called “wedding of hate” in 2015, where guests celebrated the murder of a Palestinian family in the village of Duma. At the wedding, participants waved weapons and stabbed knives into a picture of the 18-month-old boy who was killed in the arson attack – an act that Ben-Gvir had previously defended.

The number of Palestinians killed during Israel’s invasion and bombings is unclear – but is estimated to be between 40,000 and hundreds of thousands.

However, given that Hamas has said that the new US-backed ceasefire proposal does not meet their demands, Ben-Gvir believes that too much caution has been exercised so far and that it is now time to seriously use military force.

– Mr. Prime Minister, after Hamas rejected the deal proposal again – there are no more excuses, Ben-Gvir said on his Telegram channel.

– The confusion, the shuffling and the weakness must end. We have already missed too many opportunities. It is time to go in with full force, without blinking, to destroy, and kill Hamas to the last one.

Ben-Gvir’s definition of terrorists who must be eliminated includes, according to him, not only combatants but also all Palestinians who are considered to sympathize with the Islamist group.

He has also previously argued that it is difficult to determine which Palestinians belong to Hamas and which do not, and he has repeatedly argued that Gaza should be permanently emptied of Palestinians.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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