Welcome to “Basic Law,” the new JNS show hosted by Aylana Meisel, Executive Director of the Israel Law and Liberty Forum. This series dives deep into Israel’s legal system, dissecting the most pressing legal and constitutional issues facing the nation today.
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Welcome to “Basic Law,” the new JNS show hosted by Aylana Meisel, Executive Director of the Israel Law and Liberty Forum. This series dives deep into Israel’s legal system, dissecting the most pressing legal and constitutional issues facing the nation today.
Weaponization of universal jurisdiction: The latest lawfare against Israel (w/Mark Zell)
Basic Law
37 minutes
3 months ago
Weaponization of universal jurisdiction: The latest lawfare against Israel (w/Mark Zell)
Host Aylana Meisel is joined by international lawyer Mark Zell, who sheds light on the weaponization of universal jurisdiction, a legal strategy that allows foreign courts to prosecute individuals for alleged crimes committed outside their borders. The show explores how this strategy is being used against Israeli citizens worldwide, with a focus on Belgium, Brazil and Spain, where laws are being misused to pursue political agendas. Mark discusses the implications for Israeli soldiers and the risks they face when traveling abroad, as well as the broader consequences for Israel and its supporters.
This episode highlights the case of two Israelis who were detained in Belgium for alleged war crimes due to social media posts related to their IDF service in Gaza. Although they were released, this incident exemplifies a broader phenomenon where Israelis are increasingly being targeted by NGOs using legal frameworks to intimidate and prosecute them for their military service.
Chapters
00:00 The Dangers of Lawfare Against Israelis
02:49 Understanding Universal Jurisdiction
06:05 Historical Context of Universal Jurisdiction
09:00 The Evolution of Lawfare Tactics
11:54 Israel's Response to Legal Warfare
15:12 The Role of NGOs in Targeting Israelis
18:02 Legal Remedies and Accountability
20:57 The Implications of Dual Citizenship
23:51 International Courts and Their Influence
26:46 The Future of Lawfare and Universal Jurisdiction
Basic Law
Welcome to “Basic Law,” the new JNS show hosted by Aylana Meisel, Executive Director of the Israel Law and Liberty Forum. This series dives deep into Israel’s legal system, dissecting the most pressing legal and constitutional issues facing the nation today.