Alan Dershowitz has formed a star-studded legal team to shield Israel from the International Criminal Court’s inquiries, raising the stakes in a geopolitical legal battle.
At a Glance
- Alan Dershowitz assembles a “legal dream team” for defending Israel against ICC charges.
- Charges involve alleged war crimes following Israel’s response to a Hamas attack.
- The distinguished team includes former Attorneys General, a former FBI director, and well-known litigators.
- Dershowitz criticizes ICC for bias against Israel and demands U.S. response.
Dershowitz Assembles Legal Defenders for Israel
Alan Dershowitz, a prominent legal scholar, has rallied a formidable team to defend Israeli leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant against charges at the ICC. The ICC issued arrest warrants citing crimes against humanity, following Israel’s actions in response to a terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7. Dershowitz’s team, uniting former high-profile legal figures, aims to counteract these accusations, which they argue lack substantial merit.
The legal battle intensifies amid a backdrop of accusations from the ICC, perceived by some as part of an anti-Israel agenda. Despite the daunting challenge, Dershowitz and his team plan to defend not just in legal institutions but also in the potent arena of global public opinion.
Does the ICC have jurisdiction to try Netanyahu? pic.twitter.com/GAzA6ePP05
— Alan Dershowitz (@AlanDersh) May 29, 2024
Prominent Legal Team Takes Shape
The roster of legal experts includes two former U.S. Attorneys General, Michael Mukasey and William Barr, and former FBI Director Louis Freeh. Other notable members are former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, Fox News personality Mark Levin, and high-profile litigators David Boies and Floyd Abrams. David Boies, typically a courtroom opponent, joins this team with enthusiasm, reflecting the gravity and unity of this legal defense initiative.
“So, within hours of that announcement being made, I started to make phone calls and I put together probably one of the best legal teams ever assembled in the history… in history period,” said Dershowitz.
Moreover, Dershowitz’s team features former Solicitor General Seth Waxman, and distinguished figures such as Irwin Cotler and Kendall Coffey, further underlining the breadth and caliber of the assembled talent.
Facing ICC Allegations Head-On
Dershowitz has vehemently criticized the ICC’s decision as politically biased and unjustly directed at Israel. He argues that these charges cater to anti-Israel narratives driven by agendas held by countries like South Africa. This defense initiative isn’t just aiming to absolve the Israeli leaders but also to challenge what Dershowitz views as the ICC’s erosion of international law’s integrity.
“For that reason, I am assembling a team of world class lawyers from around the globe to help defend Israeli leaders against the false charges,” said Dershowitz.
Furthermore, Dershowitz has called on the U.S. to sanction the ICC, noting legislative efforts already in motion within Congress. Though the U.S. is no ICC member, potential ramifications in jurisdictions like the UK, where an arrest could occur, highlight the pressing implications for international travel and diplomacy for Netanyahu.
