Archiv: immunity (legal / political)


26.04.2024 - 13:55 [ Axios ]

SCOTUS probes assassinations and coups in Trump immunity hearing

The immense gravity of the case weighed heavily on the Supreme Court on Thursday, with justices across the ideological spectrum expressing fears of the new order they could unleash.

The immediate question is whether Trump will face trial in his Jan. 6 criminal case before the 2024 election. But the conservative-led court‘s decision will shape history well beyond November.
„We‘re writing a rule for the ages,“ Justice Neil Gorsuch observed.

31.07.2023 - 07:36 [ Haaretz ]

Post-judicial Coup Talk of a Unity Government Is Foolish, Netanyahu Isn‘t Even Interested

Attempting to imagine an escape route which also includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s acquittal of criminal charges, is a result of the painful realization that the hawkish factions on both sides – even though one can‘t compare the governmental sadism led by Justice Minister Yariv Levin and the most rigid and militant anti-overhaul protesters – ignore the will of the majority and charge onward, almost with lust, to the very dangerous disagreement known as a constitutional crisis.

This hope, however, whether you want to surrender to it or to resist it in disgust, is in no way realistic. For now. According to knowledgeable sources, Netanyahu is simply not interested: not in stopping the judicial overhaul nor in a unity government.

21.07.2023 - 15:52 [ CNN ]

No indictment for Netanyahu

(20. April 1997)

Netanyahu told CNN‘s Walter Rodgers he was „glad that the truth came out,“ and said the entire incident was „blown out of proportion and twisted out of shape.“

„It‘s politics,“ he said in an interview shortly after the attorney general released his report. „Of course there were people out to get us. But this is going nowhere. It‘s done. It‘s finished.“

21.07.2023 - 15:42 [ Haaretz ]

Netanyahu Is Fulfilling the Doomsday Prophecy of This Supreme Court Justice

“There already are legislative initiatives meant to increase political involvement in appointing judges, as well as curtailing the Supreme Court’s authority, apparently for the purpose of preventing judicial review of government actions…all I can say is this: first, this is a crude threat, unseen heretofore by the judiciary, meant apparently to influence its rulings; second, these steps are a surefire recipe for critically damaging democracy and for perpetuating corruption.”

These pointed words were written in 2008 by Supreme Court Justice Edmond Levi, who was part of the panel hearing a petition against a decision by then-Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to grant a lenient plea bargain to former President Moshe Katsav.

08.07.2023 - 14:20 [ Haaretz ]

Hollywood Mogul Milchan Treated His Netanyahu Testimony as He Treats Everything Else: A Commodity

With careful consideration, it is plausible to suggest that Milchan‘s decision may have been influenced by the judges‘ proposal to withdraw the bribery charge in Case 4000, which was presented just before his testimony. The witness perceived this case to overshadow his own involvement, often remarking that the magnitude of „hundreds of millions of dollars“ cannot be compared to indulgences in cigars and champagne. This positioning allowed Milchan to assume a supporting role in the unfolding narrative, but an unexpected turn of events thrust him into the spotlight. Being fluent in the language of power, it appears that Milchan recognized Netanyahu‘s resurgent influence and chose not to risk challenging him.

26.06.2023 - 19:22 [ Haaretz ]

If There Was Ever a Time for Israel‘s Protesters to Wake Up, It‘s Now

If there was a time to wake up, once again, with all our strength against the judicial coup – that time is now. This is not a drill; it‘s back with us. The protest leaders promised in the beginning that they „sleep with their boots on.“ Now it‘s time to put ours on.

26.06.2023 - 13:46 [ Haaretz ]

Is Israel Prepared to Prosecute Its Prime Minister?

For this saga to end now, one of two things has to happen: Either the prosecution has to withdraw the indictment, or Netanyahu has to admit to some of the charges and leave office immediately. But the prime minister is now breathing easy and praising the judges whom he previously suspected of being leftists. And Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who views the court’s position as a colossal mistake, is currently determined to go all the way, including to the Supreme Court.

23.06.2023 - 12:55 [ Times of Israel ]

Film mogul Milchan to testify at Netanyahu trial Sunday, as AG said to mull deal

Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan, a key witness in one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption cases, is set to testify at the premier’s corruption trial via video link from Brighton, England, beginning on Sunday.

The film producer is a witness in Case 1000 — one of three in which Netanyahu faces charges — involving suspicions that the premier illicitly accepted gifts including cigars and champagne from Milchan and another billionaire, James Packer.

23.06.2023 - 12:44 [ Haaretz ]

Israel‘s AG Will Discuss Possibility of Netanyahu Plea Deal as Next Step in Bribery Trial

According to the report, during a routine hearing at the Jerusalem District Court on Tuesday, the judges engaged in a fifteen-minute discussion with the State Prosecutor‘s Office and Netanyahu‘s defense team and the other defendants, Shaul and Iris Elovich.

The judges reportedly emphasized that „the good of the state requires a settlement.“

23.06.2023 - 12:39 [ Times of Israel ]

Reports: Judges in Netanyahu trial tell prosecution bribery charge has little chance

(22.06.2023)

According to Walla and Channel 13, the judges convened with state prosecutors and Netanyahu’s defense team in their chambers in order to discuss the complexities involved in substantiating the bribery charge against the prime minister in Case 4000, the most significant of the three cases against Netanyahu that make up the trial.

Also known as the Bezeq-Walla case, it focuses on allegations that Netanyahu, during a previous tenure as prime minister, authorized regulatory decisions that financially benefited Bezeq telecommunications giant shareholder Shaul Elovitch by hundreds of millions of shekels.

13.06.2023 - 13:32 [ CNN ]

No indictment for Netanyahu

(20. April 1997)

Netanyahu told CNN‘s Walter Rodgers he was „glad that the truth came out,“ and said the entire incident was „blown out of proportion and twisted out of shape.“

„It‘s politics,“ he said in an interview shortly after the attorney general released his report. „Of course there were people out to get us. But this is going nowhere. It‘s done. It‘s finished.“

18.05.2023 - 05:48 [ Haaretz ]

Israel‘s Coalition and Opposition Nearing Agreements on Aspects of Judicial Overhaul

Moreover, while decisions by the full cabinet would have immunity from being overturned because the court deemed them unreasonable, decisions by individual ministers would not enjoy such immunity.

Opposition leaders said during the talks that they viewed this as a sensible compromise.

27.03.2023 - 20:52 [ CNN ]

No indictment for Netanyahu

(20. April 1997)

Netanyahu told CNN‘s Walter Rodgers he was „glad that the truth came out,“ and said the entire incident was „blown out of proportion and twisted out of shape.“

„It‘s politics,“ he said in an interview shortly after the attorney general released his report. „Of course there were people out to get us. But this is going nowhere. It‘s done. It‘s finished.“

08.12.2022 - 20:35 [ Reuters ]

Judge dismisses Khashoggi lawsuit against Saudi prince; Biden granted him immunity

(December 6, 2022)

A federal judge in Washington on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit filed by the fiance of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi against Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, citing President Biden‘s grant of immunity.

U.S. District Judge John Bates suggested he was reluctant to throw out the lawsuit but had no choice given the Biden administration‘s decision.

23.11.2022 - 15:24 [ Middle East Eye ]

Biden administration sticks to ‚vague‘ wording on Saudi ties after immunity decision

US will continue to review its relationship with Saudi Arabia despite the administration saying the crown prince has immunity from Khashoggi lawsuit

22.11.2022 - 20:17 [ Pakistan Economic Net / Twitter ]

Oil rises after Saudis deny report of OPEC+ supply increase

22.11.2022 - 20:08 [ @echoreflection / Nitter ]

„late last night, the Biden administration quietly gave Saudi Arabia’s Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, immunity from a lawsuit for the murder of Khashoggi, who had criticized the crown prince’s policies“

22.11.2022 - 20:03 [ thePostMillennial.com ]

Saudis may boost oil production after Biden admin shields crown prince from punishment in death of Jamal Khashoggi

A production increase of up to 500,000 barrels a day is now under discussion for OPEC’s December 4 meeting, delegates said.

05.11.2022 - 12:37 [ Cristian Terhes, Member of the European Parliament representing Romania and the Christian-Democratic National Peasants' Party (PNTCD) / Nitter ]

The lockdown abusers and their enablers now call for an AMNESTY, but without confessing the damage they‘ve done and asking for forgiveness. I don‘t want revenge, just justice at the fullest extent of the law! Do not vote into public offices any Freedom deniers and their parties!

05.11.2022 - 12:14 [ CrisisMagazine.com ]

Pandemic Amnesty? Not So Fast

It is simply wrong for people to publicly advocate for segregation and unemployment of a group of people because they don’t want a medicine that is fifteen minutes old.

It is simply wrong to whip your children up into a frenzy about something you have only heard about on the mainstream news to the point where they are yelling at strangers less than two meters away.

It is simply wrong to uninvite family members from Christmas because they didn’t take the same medicine you did.

It is simply wrong to close churches—you know, those places you go to when death is near—because you think death is near!

It is simply wrong to close the borders for years on end and completely ruin businesses that rely on tourism.

It is simply wrong to demonize every dissenting opinion in the pursuit of scientific and medical answers. Something about the scientific method requiring dissenting opinions and contrary evidence to buttress claims comes to mind…

I could go on and on.

05.11.2022 - 12:10 [ theAtlantic.com ]

Let’s Declare a Pandemic Amnesty

(31.10.2022)

We have to put these fights aside and declare a pandemic amnesty. We can leave out the willful purveyors of actual misinformation while forgiving the hard calls that people had no choice but to make with imperfect knowledge. Los Angeles County closed its beaches in summer 2020. Ex post facto, this makes no more sense than my family’s masked hiking trips. But we need to learn from our mistakes and then let them go. We need to forgive the attacks, too. Because I thought schools should reopen and argued that kids as a group were not at high risk, I was called a “teacher killer” and a “génocidaire.” It wasn’t pleasant, but feelings were high. And I certainly don’t need to dissect and rehash that time for the rest of my days.

Moving on is crucial now, because the pandemic created many problems that we still need to solve.

04.06.2022 - 13:15 [ theGuardian.com ]

UK officials in line for immunity in assisting crimes overseas, say critics

Exclusive: Draft security bill would let spies and ministers enable killings and torture, warn charity and ex-minister

12.04.2022 - 17:18 [ CNN ]

No indictment for Netanyahu

(20. April 1997)

Netanyahu told CNN‘s Walter Rodgers he was „glad that the truth came out,“ and said the entire incident was „blown out of proportion and twisted out of shape.“

„It‘s politics,“ he said in an interview shortly after the attorney general released his report. „Of course there were people out to get us. But this is going nowhere. It‘s done. It‘s finished.“

16.11.2021 - 10:58 [ CNN ]

No indictment for Netanyahu

(20. April 1997)

Netanyahu told CNN‘s Walter Rodgers he was „glad that the truth came out,“ and said the entire incident was „blown out of proportion and twisted out of shape.“

„It‘s politics,“ he said in an interview shortly after the attorney general released his report. „Of course there were people out to get us. But this is going nowhere. It‘s done. It‘s finished.“

07.09.2021 - 04:11 [ Telegraph.co.uk ]

Tory MPs need ‘Covid passport’ to meet Boris Johnson at No 10

Boris Johnson has ordered Tory MPs who want to meet him in 10 Downing Street to bring „Covid passports“.

30.07.2021 - 08:11 [ Fox News ]

Dozens of House Republicans, staffers march maskless to Senate floor to protest mask mandate

Dozens of House Republicans and their staffers marched maskless out of the House to the Senate floor in protest of the new mask mandate for the lower chamber.

The lawmakers and their staffers traveled across the Capitol on Thursday to protest the fact that Capitol Police have instructed officers to arrest staffers and visitors who don‘t wear masks and refuse to leave the House.

02.07.2021 - 15:02 [ Times of Israel ]

TV: Police claim ‘most’ violence in Arab sector led by Shin Bet informants

“The criminals who are currently leading the serious crime in Arab society are mostly Shin Bet informants and in this situation, the police are bound because those informants, who enjoy immunity, cannot be touched,” the unnamed senior officer was reported to have said.

02.07.2021 - 14:57 [ Haaretz ]

Protecting Israel’s Arabs Has Become a Matter of Coalition Talks

In other countries, a disclosure like Nussbaum’s would topple governments and drive people out of their minds, and then out of their homes. But in Israel, everything is permitted as long as the victims are from the “non-Jewish sector,” to use a term commonly used by state institutions. It turns out that in Israel, no price is too high to protect Shin Bet collaborators – not even 100 murdered Arabs a year.

01.07.2021 - 12:03 [ Stundin.is ]

Key witness in Assange case admits to lies in indictment

(26.06.2021)

The witness, who has a documented history with sociopathy and has received several convictions for sexual abuse of minors and wide-ranging financial fraud, made the admission in a newly published interview in Stundin where he also confessed to having continued his crime spree whilst working with the Department of Justice and FBI and receiving a promise of immunity from prosecution.

The man in question, Sigurdur Ingi Thordarson, was recruited by US authorities to build a case against Assange after misleading them to believe he was previously a close associate of his.

08.02.2021 - 11:26 [ CNN ]

No indictment for Netanyahu

(20. April 1997)

Netanyahu told CNN‘s Walter Rodgers he was „glad that the truth came out,“ and said the entire incident was „blown out of proportion and twisted out of shape.“

„It‘s politics,“ he said in an interview shortly after the attorney general released his report. „Of course there were people out to get us. But this is going nowhere. It‘s done. It‘s finished.“

17.01.2021 - 11:04 [ Haaretz ]

Netanyahu Making Progress in Bid to Cancel His Corruption Trial

A year ago, Netanyahu waived his parliamentary immunity after he realized that in the Knesset elected in September 2019, he had no chance of receiving immunity. But the prime minister’s lawyers recently claimed in court that he never waived his right to parliamentary immunity, saying that the Knesset’s immunity proceedings were flawed.

20.12.2020 - 22:38 [ Haaretz ]

Gantz’s Party Agrees to Delay Budget Deadline to Give More Time for Deal With Netanyahu

Defense Minister Benny Gantz‘s Kahol Lavan party said Sunday that it has agreed to postpone the Tuesday deadline to pass Israel‘s 2020 state budget by one week, in a move that could give it more time to negotiate a deal with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s Likud to avoid what would be a fourth election cycle in two years.

20.12.2020 - 15:08 [ Haaretz ]

Gantz Agrees to Curb Justice Minister‘s Powers in Deal With Netanyahu to Stave Off Election

Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz has agreed to curb Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn‘s powers, sources said, in bid to stave off election.

In return, Gantz hopes to cement the rotation agreement for the premiership with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is upheld.

18.12.2020 - 08:45 [ Jerusalem Post ]

Attorney-General to High Court: Don’t overturn unity gov’t

It was unclear whether the High Court could ever strike down a quasi-constitutional basic law, he said. In any event, if it were possible, it would need to be a far more extreme law, implying something criminal or actively undermining democracy, he added.

Furthermore, Mandelblit rejected the notion that the coalition was abusing or ignoring the will of the voter by forming coalitions they had vowed not to form.

18.12.2020 - 08:35 [ Haaretz ]

Netanyahu Preparing Another Request for Lawmakers to Grant Him Immunity

(30.11.2020)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to ask the Knesset again for immunity from prosecution in his corruption cases, based on his lawyers’ argument that the criminal investigation against him was flawed and should be reconsidered.

In the past month, the prime minister has told associates that he is weighing the benefits of such a move against the possible damage it could do to his image in public opinion.

06.12.2020 - 12:41 [ Haaretz ]

Court Hears Netanyahu’s Request to Dismiss His Corruption Cases

The three-judge panel headed by Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman is expected to focus in Sunday’s hearing on Netanyahu‘s claim that he was protected by parliamentary immunity at the time of the filing of the indictments against him. The panel is expected to rule on the issue in the next few weeks because there is no dispute over the facts on this issue.

13.08.2020 - 05:22 [ teleSUR ]

Uruguay: Ex-Political Prisoners Ask for Impeachment of Manini

Uruguay’s Association of Former Political Prisoners (Crysol) Tuesday asked the Senate to withdraw the parliamentary immunity of Gen. Guido Manini so that that he can be tried for crimes committed during the military dictatorship (1973-1985).

10.07.2020 - 15:06 [ theHill.com ]

Five takeaways from Supreme Court‘s rulings on Trump tax returns

Roberts laid out a list of factors for courts to consider when weighing such subpoenas but stressed that the list was not comprehensive, noting how rarely interbranch disputes have come before the court over the nation‘s history.

“Other considerations may be pertinent as well; one case every two centuries does not afford enough experience for an exhaustive list,” the chief justice wrote

09.07.2020 - 17:51 [ theHill.com ]

Supreme Court grants NY prosecutors access to Trump‘s tax returns, rebuffs Congress

The Supreme Court in a split decision on Thursday granted New York state prosecutors access to President Trump’s tax returns, even as it shielded a trove of his financial records from Congress.

The justices upheld a Manhattan district attorney subpoena for eight years of Trump’s financial documents, including his personal and corporate tax returns. But they declined to grant Congress access to records subpoenaed by a trio of Democratic-led House committees.

15.06.2020 - 08:50 [ theGuardian.com ]

Cuomo gave immunity to nursing home executives after big campaign donations

(26.05.2020)

Less than two years after that flood of cash from the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA), Cuomo signed legislation last month quietly shielding hospital and nursing home executives from the threat of lawsuits stemming from the coronavirus outbreak. The provision, inserted into an annual budget bill by Cuomo’s aides, created one of the nation’s most explicit immunity protections for healthcare industry officials, according to legal experts.

Critics say Cuomo removed a key deterrent against nursing home and hospital corporations cutting corners in ways that jeopardize lives.