Courts and the law

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, (R) shakes hands with Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, during a news conference on April 3, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.

With Hungary’s ICC U-turn, Israel loses a key European ally

Hungary’s parliament voted to remain in the International Criminal Court, reversing a planned withdrawal and marking a shift in Budapest’s approach to Israel and the EU.

Ozgur Ozel

Majority in Turkey rejects court ruling ousting CHP’s Ozel, poll shows

A new poll shows a majority in Turkey rejects the court ruling that ousted main opposition leader Ozgur Ozel.

Turkish riot police use water cannon to disperse protesters during a rally called by ousted opposition leader Ozgur Ozel, days after a court dismissed him from office, in Izmir on May 26, 2026.

Turkey: Thousands defy police to rally for ousted CHP leader Ozel

Tens of thousands of CHP supporters rallied for Ozgur Ozel in Izmir on Tuesday in a major show of defiance after a court ousted him from the party leadership.

Women hold portraits of jailed Islamist cleric Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir during a protest calling for his release in Beirut on April 24, 2025.

Explainer

Why Sunni frustration is growing over Lebanon’s amnesty law

Parliament speaker Nabih Berri postponed a parliamentary session scheduled to vote on a draft general amnesty law following disagreements about who should benefit from the measure, including Islamist detainees.

Latest News

Turkish court ousts CHP leadership amid opposition crackdown

Leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Ozgur Ozel addresses the audience during a rally in Istanbul on April 9, 2025.

Analysis

Iran tightens wartime crackdown across Kurdish, Baluch ethnic regions

Baluch Iranian youths cross a street in Zahedan, in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan bordering Afghanistan, on Dec. 18, 2025.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Israel's Netanyahu suing New York Times over column on Palestinian rape

Bahrain strips 69 people of citizenship for 'glorifying' Iran attacks

People walk along an alley at a bazaar in Bahrain's capital, Manama, on March 11, 2026.

OLAF KRAAK/AFP via Getty Images

Israel rejects South Africa's genocide charge at ICJ as 'grossly distorted'

On the second day of hearings at the International Court of Justice, Israel rejected the court's jurisdiction and accused Hamas of genocidal acts.

Aharon Barak, on the panel of the International Court of Justice, The Hague, Jan. 11, 2024.

Analysis

Netanyahu turns to longtime foe to defend Israel — and himself — at ICJ

The prime minister chose former Supreme Court president Aharon Barak, a target of his judicial reform effort, to join the ICJ panel hearing South Africa's genocide complaint against Israel.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

People raise flags and placards as they gather around a statue of late South African president Nelson Mandela to celebrate a landmark "genocide" case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice, in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on January 10, 2024.

How is Middle East reacting to South Africa's Gaza genocide ICJ case against Israel?

Several Arab countries have publically announced their support for South Africa’s genocide case filed against Israel at the ICJ.

an overview of the buildings of the International Criminal Court ICC CPI in The Hague.

Analysis

What to expect as Israel, South Africa face off over Gaza genocide case at ICJ

Israel and South Africa are both gearing up for a much-mediatized hearing at the International Court of Justice in the Hague over the IDF military campaign in Gaza.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A woman touches victims' portraits as mourners attend an outdoor vigil for the victims of Ukrainian passenger jet flight PS752.

Downed Ukrainian jet families struggle to hold Iran accountable

The families' quest for justice remains futile four years after the tragedy, as Iran continues to defy international pressure and obstruct independent probes.

A general view of the International Court of Justice during a public hearing, The Hague, June 6, 2023.

Will South Africa be successful in its Gaza genocide case against Israel?

Israel has selected a British lawyer to represent it against the South African complaint to the International Court of Justice.

Israeli soldiers deploy at kibbutz Beeri near the border with Gaza, Oct. 11, 2023.

Israeli military causes uproar with plans to investigate its conduct on Oct. 7

News of the Israeli military establishing a committee to investigate itself took security cabinet members by surprise.

Erkan Bas (L), leader of the Workers' Party of Turkey (TIP), and fellow party MPs Sera Kadigil (C) and Ahmet Sik (R) display a portrait of jailed TIP MP Can Atalay, during a swearing-in ceremony at the Turkish parliament in Ankara, June 2, 2023.

Erdogan rivals call Turkey 'banana republic' as high court rulings ignored

Turkish officials’ dismissal of courts has also resulted in the threat of targeted sanctions against them by the Council of Europe.

TOPSHOT - This aerial view shows demonstrators unfurling a giant banner against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a rally against the Israeli government's judicial overhaul plan near Azrieli Mall in Tel Aviv on September 23, 2023. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Why Israeli court striking down judicial overhaul is serious blow to Netanyahu

The justices of Israel's High Court have ruled against the "reasonableness law" pushed by the current government and designed to weaken the country’s democracy.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

A woman walks by a wall with photos of hostages taken to the Gaza Strip during the deadly Oct 7 Hamas attack on Dec. 20, 2023, in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Analysis

2023 in review: The year that shook Israel to the core, exposed vulnerabilities

With the judicial overhaul pushed by the government and then the Oct. 7 attack that shook the country to its core, Israelis no longer trust their leaders.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Israeli singer Achinoam Nini, professionally known as Noa, is seen during a performance.

Israeli singer and peace activist Noa: 'There must be another way'

The singer Noa, one of Israel’s most prominent peace and democracy activists, wants Israelis to change the government and choose dialogue with the Palestinians.

Activists take part in a ceremony marking the second anniversary of the controversial death of Argentinian prosecutor Alberto Nisman on January 18, 2017 in Buenos Aires. Nisman died in mysterious circumstances in January 18, 2015, after accusing Argentina's then president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, of obstructing his investigation of a 1994 bombing at a Buenos Aires Jewish center. / AFP / EITAN ABRAMOVICH (Photo credit should read EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP via Getty Images)

US charges Colombian-Lebanese Hezbollah member in Argentina bombing

The US alleged Samuel Salman El Reda helped Hezbollah perpetrate the deadly 1994 attack against a Jewish community center in the Argentinian capital, following sanctions related to the attack earlier this year.