The international legal stage has become a battleground, with human rights attorney Amal Clooney at its center. Israeli NGO Shurat HaDin has called for a federal investigation into Clooney's involvement with the International Criminal Court (ICC), alleging she may have violated U.S. law.
Shurat HaDin, also known as the Israel Law Center, is no stranger to high-profile legal actions. Founded in 2003 by Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, the organization has made a name for itself by representing victims of terrorism in legal proceedings against terror groups and their financial supporters. Their latest move targets Clooney's role in an ICC panel reviewing evidence of suspected war crimes in Israel and Gaza.
"The American law is extremely clear: no agent of the ICC can operate or assist in ICC investigative actions against Americans or their allies while residing in the US," stated Darshan-Leitner. She further emphasized that if Clooney participated in the ICC panel while in the U.S., "she is the one that needs to be prosecuted."
In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, Shurat HaDin argues that Clooney's actions potentially violate the American Servicemembers' Protection Act (ASPA). The organization has gone so far as to request the subpoenaing of Clooney's email, phone records, and passports to determine her whereabouts and communications with the ICC Prosecutor's Office in The Hague.
Shurat HaDin represents hundreds of Hamas terrorism victims, including those affected by the October 7 massacre in Israel. Their legal strategy often involves targeting the financial networks supporting terror groups, a tactic that has brought them both praise and controversy.
The situation has taken on added complexity with reports that George Clooney, Amal's husband, reached out to White House officials. Sources suggest he expressed concerns about potential sanctions against his wife following President Biden's initial criticism of the ICC's actions regarding Israeli officials.
With potential implications for U.S.-ICC relations and the broader debate on international justice, the outcome of this controversy could have far-reaching consequences.
The case promises to keep diplomats, legal experts, and the public on edge as it navigates the complex waters of international law and politics in the digital age.
* Jewish News Syndicate and JPost contributed to this article.
