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. Israel
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. Turkey
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. Turkey
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. Lebanon
Analysis Iran tightens wartime crackdown across Kurdish, Baluch ethnic regions By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Netanyahu conducting his trial outside courthouse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to play for time and drag the trial against him for many months and perhaps even years. Israel
Two men arrested in US for allegedly helping Carlos Ghosn flee Japan The former Nissan executive fled Japan for his native Lebanon while on bail following being charged with financial crimes. Lebanon
Saudi courts ordered to stop flogging for ‘tazir’ crimes Judges in the kingdom can no longer prescribe flogging as a punishment for lesser crimes. Originals
Netanyahu asks to be excused from showing up at corruption trial Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose new government was sworn in Sunday, is trying to avoid having to appear before the court at the start of his corruption trial Sunday. Israel
Israeli man found guilty of murder in 2015 arson attack on Palestinian family Amiram Ben-Uliel's actions sparked outrage among both Palestinians and Israelis, but his lawyers questioned the conditions under which he confessed to the crime. Palestine
Syrians held in Turkish prison 'in breach of international law,' advocates say Scores of Syrians detained after Turkey's Operation Peace Spring began in October have been accused of links to the Kurdistan Workers Party and moved to a prison in Sanliurfa, Turkey. Syria
Sisi grants army more powers under state of emergency Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi approved new amendments to the emergency law, granting the army the right to arrest and prosecute civilians in clear violation of the constitution and the law, according to human rights activists. Egypt
Intel: 331 lawmakers take International Criminal Court to task over Israel investigation Hundreds of US lawmakers have signed onto two letters to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging him to continue his “vigorous support of Israel as it faces the growing possibility of investigations and prosecutions by the International Criminal Court” over potential war crimes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestine
Israel’s top court cancels bonus plan for artists performing in settlements The High Court rules in favor of a petition that sought to end a policy of giving government bonuses to artists who performed in West bank settlements. Palestine
Detainee’s death raises concerns on conditions of prisoners in Egypt Egyptian artist Shady Habash died under strange circumstances in a prison cell where he had been in pretrial detention since 2018, raising criticism from local and international rights organizations. Egypt
Egyptian rights activists sound alarm over pretrial detention of political detainees A court decision to extend the pretrial detention of hundreds of political prisoners without their presence raised the ire of rights organizations calling for the detainees’ immediate release. Egypt
Turkey charges 7 over ex-Nissan boss’s escape to Lebanon Former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has been living in Lebanon since escaping house arrest in Japan in late December. Lebanon
