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Germany faces genocide case over Israel weapon sales

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Nicaragua has asked the UN’s highest court to halt German weapons sales to Israel at the start of a landmark case.

Germany is accused of breaching the UN genocide convention by sending military hardware to Israel and ceasing funding of the UN’s aid agency.

Berlin rejects the claims and will present a defence to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Tuesday.

In 2023 some 30% of Israel’s military equipment purchases came from Germany, totalling €300m ($326m; £257m).

The allegations build on a separate case taken by South Africa in January, where judges in the Hague ordered Israel to take “every possible measure” to avoid genocidal acts. The court also ordered Hamas to release all hostages taken from Israel during its 7 October attacks immediately.Israel rejects accusations that it is engaging in genocidal acts in its campaign in Gaza, and has insisted it has the right to defend itself.

More than 33,000 have been killed in Israel’s offensive in Gaza, the Hamas-run health ministry there says, the majority of them civilians. Gaza is on the brink of famine, with Oxfam reporting that 300,000 people trapped in the north have lived since January on an average of 245 calories a day.

Nicaragua says Germany’s arms sales to Israel, which totalled $326.5m last year – a tenfold increase on 2022 – make it complicit in Israel’s alleged war crimes.

Components for air defence systems and communications equipment accounted for most of the sales, according to the DPA news agency.Germany was also one of 15 Western nations which suspended funding for the UN’s Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) over allegations that some of the agency’s staff were involved in the 7 October attacks on Israel.

According to papers filed with the ICJ, Nicaragua wants the UN’s top court to order Berlin to halt weapons sales and resume funding of the aid agency, one of the few international bodies still operating in Gaza.

It says in the absence of such measures, “Germany is facilitating the commission of genocide and is failing in its obligation to do everything possible to prevent the commission of genocide”.

Speaking as the trial opened, Alain Pellet, a lawyer for Nicaragua, said it was “urgent that Germany suspend continued sales.

“Germany was and is fully conscious of the risk that the arms it has furnished and continues to furnish to Israel,” he told judges.

Berlin has rejected the allegations, but has remained tight-lipped about its legal strategy ahead of the hearings.

“We note Nicaragua’s lawsuit and we deny the allegations as unjustified”, government spokesman Wolfgang Buechner said.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been a vocal supporter of Israel’s right to self-defence, but he has faced increasing domestic hostility to the continuation of arms sales to the country.

On Sunday, a group of civil servants wrote to the German leader calling on the government to “cease arm deliveries to the Israeli government with immediate effect”.

“Israel is committing crimes in Gaza that are in clear contradiction to international law and thus to the Constitution, which we are bound to as federal civil servants and public employees,” the statement said, citing January’s ICJ ruling.

In January’s case, the ICJ ruled that “at least some of the acts and omissions alleged by South Africa to have been committed by Israel in Gaza appear to be capable of falling within the provisions of the Convention”.

But critics of the case have been quick to highlight that Nicaragua itself has a spotted human rights record, with its government accused of cracking down on opposition. In March, the UK’s mission to the UN accused President Daniel Ortega’s government of a “relentless” crackdown on human rights and civil liberties.

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Ireland women’s basketball team refuse to shake hands with Israel

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During a EuroBasket 2025 qualifier in Riga, the Ireland women’s basketball team declined to shake hands with the Israeli team before the match. Israeli player Dor Saar accused the Ireland team of being “quite anti-Semitic,” which Basketball Ireland strongly refuted, calling the comments inflammatory and inaccurate.

Before the game, the Ireland players stood for their anthem beside their bench rather than at the center court, a departure from the usual protocol. Despite concerns expressed by Irish players and pressure to boycott the fixture due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the match proceeded. Basketball Ireland reported Saar’s comments to Fiba Europe and explained their decision not to participate in traditional pre-match rituals.

Earlier, Basketball Ireland’s CEO warned of heavy fines and expulsion from the competition if the team boycotted their matches with Israel, stating it would harm women’s international basketball for years. Saar’s remarks were made in an interview on the Israeli Basketball Association’s website, where she suggested that the Irish team’s perceived animosity fueled a desire for a strong performance from Israel.

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Eurovision: Finnish artists want Israel barred from contest over Gaza war

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Over 1,400 Finnish music industry professionals have signed a petition urging the exclusion of Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest due to alleged “war crimes” in Gaza. They are also calling for Finland to withdraw from the competition if Israel is not banned. The petition highlights concerns about Israel participating in Eurovision to enhance its image, and it follows similar demands made by Icelandic musicians to their broadcaster Rúv.

Yle, the Finnish broadcaster, is currently monitoring the stance of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organizer of Eurovision. Signatories accuse Yle of double standards, pointing to its prompt call for a ban on Russia from the 2022 contest. Yle’s response suggests that the situation in Israel and Gaza is not considered equivalent to the inter-state aggression seen in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to Ville Vilén, a Yle representative.

The EBU has affirmed Israel’s participation in Eurovision, emphasizing that the event is for broadcasters, not governments, and that Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, complies with all competition rules. Yle plans to engage with the petition’s authors, and the EBU has previously stated that Eurovision is a non-political event, with Israel’s participation spanning 50 years.

This year’s Eurovision is scheduled to take place in Malmö, Sweden, and the UK will be represented by pop star Olly Alexander. Alexander faced criticism for endorsing a statement accusing Israel of genocide, with Israel dismissing the arguments as “absurd” and attributing them to anti-Israel bias. The Gaza conflict, mentioned in the context of the petition, has resulted in a significant loss of lives, displacement, and humanitarian challenges in the region.

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Putin makes rare foreign trip to Gulf states

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has undertaken a rare foreign trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. The discussions are expected to cover topics such as the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as oil production. Notably, the UAE is hosting the COP28 UN climate summit. Despite facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) related to alleged war crimes, including the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children, both the UAE and Saudi Arabia do not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction.

Putin’s visit is seen as part of Russia’s efforts to assert influence and counter isolation attempts by the West. In the UAE, trade and oil are key agenda items, as it is described as Russia’s primary economic partner in the Arab world. Putin also traveled to Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, discussing bilateral cooperation and regional events. The leaders reportedly addressed ways to promote de-escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict and discussed conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Sudan.

Furthermore, Putin is set to meet Iran’s President Ibrahim Raisi to discuss the war in Gaza. This trip follows Putin’s limited international travel since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with visits restricted to Russian-occupied Ukraine, Iran, and China.

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News Trending War

Macron calls on Israel to stop killing Gaza’s women and babies

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In this news article, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his stance on the conflict in Gaza. He condemned the bombing of civilians in Gaza, stating that there is “no justification” for it, and called for a ceasefire, emphasizing the need to protect civilians. Macron also condemned the actions of Hamas, recognizing it as a terrorist organization, while urging other leaders, including those in the US and the UK, to join his calls for a ceasefire.

On the topic of Ukraine, Macron characterized Russia’s invasion as imperialism and colonialism, emphasizing the duty of his country and others to support Ukraine in its defense. He warned of the potential threat posed by a victorious Russia to other former Soviet states and the entire continent.

Macron also discussed online extremism, singling out Facebook’s parent company Meta and Google for not fulfilling their promises to moderate hate speech on their platforms. He expressed concern about insufficient moderators for French language content on many online platforms.

Regarding climate change, Macron mentioned its role in contributing to terrorism, citing the example of Lake Chad in West Africa, where the effects of global warming led to political instability.

In summary, Macron called for a ceasefire in Gaza, condemned the actions of both Israel and Hamas, expressed support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion, criticized online platforms for inadequate moderation, and highlighted the link between climate change and terrorism in certain regions.

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Anti-Israel mob storms Dagestan airport in Russia

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Israel has called upon Russia to protect “all of its citizens and all Jews” following a large mob’s assault on a Dagestan airport, with some members shouting anti-Semitic slogans. Video footage circulated on social media depicted a frenzied crowd dashing through the airport in Makhachkala, reportedly targeting individuals arriving from Tel Aviv.

Certain members of the crowd breached the runway and encircled aircraft parked there. Rosaviatsia, Russia’s aviation agency, confirmed that security forces ultimately regained control of the situation. Consequently, the airport was shut down and is expected to remain closed until Tuesday, as confirmed by Rosaviatsia.

According to local interior ministry sources, around sixty alleged participants in the mob have been apprehended. Videos showcased hundreds of individuals storming the airport terminal, some waving Palestinian flags. Reports also emerged of demonstrators stopping vehicles outside Makhachkala’s airport, demanding to inspect documents in a chaotic quest for Israeli passports.

The health ministry of the republic reported that twenty individuals, including several police officers, sustained injuries, with some in critical condition. Dagestan’s government initiated a criminal case for the disorder.

In response to the incident, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office insisted that Russia take decisive action against the incitement of violence targeting Jews and Israelis. The United States similarly condemned the anti-Semitic protests, with the White House National Security Council spokesperson emphasizing solidarity with the global Jewish community and unequivocally denouncing anti-Semitism.

Governor Sergei Melikov of Dagestan condemned the airport invasion in a Telegram post, condemning the mistreatment of strangers and attacks on women with children. He considered the mob’s actions a betrayal of Dagestani patriots, including those serving in the Russian armed forces in Ukraine.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry declared that the Israeli ambassador in Moscow was collaborating with Russian authorities. The ministry underscored that Israel views attempts to harm Israeli citizens and Jews with great concern, expecting Russian law enforcement to ensure the safety of all Israeli citizens and Jews and take robust measures against the rioters and the unfettered incitement targeting Jews and Israelis.

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News Trending War

Israel Gaza: EU calls for ‘corridors and pauses’ for humanitarian aid

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EU leaders have urged the establishment of “corridors and pauses” to ensure the delivery of crucial humanitarian aid to Gaza. Following lengthy discussions in Brussels, the leaders issued a joint statement emphasizing the necessity of safe and unimpeded access. Disagreements among member states had previously centered on the duration and structure of these pauses, with some advocating for a longer, singular cessation of hostilities.

In response to Hamas’s attack that led to significant casualties, Israel initiated airstrikes and imposed blockades on essential supplies, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The health system in Gaza, operated by Hamas, has been strained to the brink, with a large number of casualties and a shortage of functioning medical facilities.

Although the aid reaching Gaza has been limited, the recent statement from the EU leaders represents a compromise among the diverse views of the 27 member states. The use of “humanitarian pauses” as brief intervals aims to allow the EU to work with regional partners to provide essential resources without being exploited by terrorist organizations, as clarified in the statement.

The decision to use the term “pauses” rather than “pause” was a result of delicate negotiations. The former was considered less likely to imply a permanent ceasefire, thereby acknowledging Israel’s right to self-defense. Notably, certain member states, including Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Germany, which holds a strong pro-Israel stance, played a significant role in shaping the statement’s wording.

While some countries expressed disappointment at the absence of a specific call for a ceasefire, there was approval for the addition of a new line supporting the organization of an international peace conference. The proposed conference aligns with the Spanish caretaker Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s earlier call for an international peace summit to address the long-standing conflict in the region.

Given that the EU lacks military authority, its influence is primarily diplomatic, focusing on diplomatic pressure and the provision of aid. Despite the EU’s efforts, Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, asserted that Israel would continue to make autonomous decisions regarding its actions in Gaza, based on its national interests.

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News Trending War

Gaza Hospital Overwhelmed as Israel’s Retaliation Inflicts Hundreds of Casualties

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On Saturday morning, there were celebrations in Gaza as Hamas launched thousands of rockets into Israel and carried out deadly cross-border attacks. However, the situation took a grim turn the following day. Israeli shelling continued relentlessly throughout the night and into Sunday morning, driving people indoors as explosions rocked the area. Gaza was shrouded in clouds of black smoke as Israeli strikes hit 150 targets, including military positions, Hamas leaders’ homes, and banks. Among the significant targets was the Watan Tower, a vital hub for internet providers in Gaza.

The retaliatory Israeli air strikes have resulted in more than 400 casualties, severely straining Gaza’s already dire humanitarian situation. Power and water supplies have been disrupted, leaving most areas without electricity. Rubble obstructed roads in Gaza City, where shops were shuttered, except for a few bakeries with long queues.

Gaza’s hospitals, ill-equipped even in peaceful times, are overwhelmed, with desperate appeals for blood donors. According to Mahmoud Shalabi of the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians, the main hospital resembled a “slaughterhouse,” with an influx of casualties and overwhelmed medical staff.

Later on Sunday, the Israeli army sent SMS messages to Gaza City residents, advising them to seek shelter ahead of strikes. Over 20,000 people headed to United Nations sites in the area.

Hamas, in control of Gaza for 17 years, was seemingly prepared for such massive retaliation, having declared readiness for war with Israel. Despite the blockade, the group claims to have smuggled weapons and developed its arsenal. While some Gazans celebrated Hamas’ rocket attacks, many are apprehensive about the prolonged violence and uncertain future.

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