Who are we?

UK Lawyers for Israel is an association of lawyers who seek to ensure the proper application of laws in matters relating to Israel, not least with respect to fundamental human rights of equality, freedom of expression, and the right to life. Our members and honorary patrons include some of the most distinguished members of the British legal profession, including in the fields of human rights law, international law and criminal law. Together with partners in the United States, Israel, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Bulgaria, Switzerland and other countries, we work to ensure that Israelis and Jews are protected from discriminatory, politically motivated litigation and legal proceedings tainted by extraneous considerations. We regularly support individuals in national, transnational and international criminal, civil and public law proceedings which engage international human rights law.

What are we doing?

As part of its ongoing mission, UKLFI, together with the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, the International Legal Forum, My Truth, the Simon Wiesenthal Center and The Lawfare Project, has been granted leave as an amicus curiae to submit observations at the International Criminal Court's landmark hearings between 4 and 6 December 2019 on issues relating to the Court's jurisdiction and the criteria which must be considered when the Court addresses whether the commencement of an ICC investigation would not be in the interests of justice.

The ICC Appeals Chamber is seized with the Prosecutor's appeal of Pre-Trial Chamber II's Decision of 12 April 2019 not to authorise an investigation in the Afghanistan situation on the basis that there are substantial grounds to believe that it would not be in the interests of justice to do so.

Steven Kay QC, Dr Dov Jacobs and Joshua Kern of 9 Bedford Row have applied for and obtained leave to submit amicus curiae observations on behalf of the participating organisations on a pro bono basis. Leave has now been granted and  participating organisations have been requested to contribute a sum to cover reasonable fees and costs.

Call to action

We are raising £5,000 to support the costs of the legal team. We need your support: please contribute and share this page now!

What are we trying to achieve? 

This appeal addresses issues which arise when the ICC considers whether and when it is permitted to exercise jurisdiction over nationals of non-States Parties such as Israel. Its judgment in this appeal is of potential significant precedential value both for Israel and for affected Jewish communities.

What is the next step in the case? 

The legal team will attend hearings at the ICC in The Hague between 4 and 6 December. 

How much we are raising and why? 

We are looking to raise £5,000 as a significant contribution to the legal team's costs and expenses.

Thank you for your support and generosity!