Uncertainties Surface over the Legal Validity of Israel's Military Actions
In a significant development, the Bundestag Expert Opinion on the Israeli and US attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and military installations has concluded that these military actions are contrary to international law. The report, released recently, states that the attacks cannot be justified under international legal standards, contradicting the political stance of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz who publicly welcomed Israel's actions.
The expert report's findings align with broader international criticism. A group of 24 UN experts has condemned Israel's strikes on Iran as a flagrant violation of fundamental principles of international law. The debate within Germany's political circles reflects tensions between political support for Israel and adherence to international legal obligations. While Chancellor Merz expressed support for these attacks, describing them as Israel doing "dirty work for us all," other voices in Germany question their legality and ethical justification, particularly concerning violations of international humanitarian law.
The Bundestag Expert Opinion declares the Israeli and US attacks on Iran unlawful under international law. The report raises concerns about the toleration, even support, of the federal government for these attacks, which it sees as a breach of law. The authors of the opinion paper warn against misusing the right of self-defense to pursue security policy interests. They argue that there are good reasons not to overstretch existing international legal norms that justify a breach of the ban on the use of force.
The report highlights that for Israel to justify its actions under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, it would have had to prove that Iran was immediately about to build a nuclear weapon, had the firm intention to use such a weapon against Israel, and that the military operation "Rising Lion" was the last opportunity to prevent the construction of the atomic bomb. However, the report states that none of these conditions have been sufficiently demonstrated.
The US military operation, launched on June 22, would only be covered by international law if the Israeli attacks were in accordance with international law. The report does not provide new information about the potential risks or alternatives to the military operations. The German government has not yet commented on whether the Israeli and US attacks on Iran violate international law.
In a related development, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has explicitly supported the military operations. A ceasefire came into effect three days later. However, no new information about the potential legality of the US military operation or the criteria for a self-defense situation were provided in this paragraph. There were no new facts about the situation in Hamm in this paragraph.
The Bundestag Expert Opinion adds to the general news discourse, as it labels the Israeli and US attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and military installations as in violation of international law, contrary to Chancellor Merz's political stance. The report further highlights potential policies and legislation implications, warning against the misuse of self-defense for security interests and the possible breach of law by the federal government's toleration or support for these attacks.
