Short answer: “Yes”.
International law is different from domestic law.
Think about it.
In democracies a new law is drafted, discussed in committee, debated in parliament, amended and voted on by elected representatives of the people. When enacted, it can be challenged in court, go to appeal, and make case law.
International law goes through none of that. Professor Avi Bell tells us something I didn’t know till now. That what we call international law originated as informal agreements amongst Christian countries in the early 20th century Europe. To the extent it’s been expanded, that’s happened via the United Nations, which is, today, a corrupted outfit. Think ICC and ICJ, both notoriously corrupt.
Anyway, a lot to learn from this conversation. A bit nerdy, but you’ll feel smarter after it. And likely know more than your neighbour about international law. Such as it is. And such as it matters. Which professor Avi Bell says it doesn’t really, not in practice.
Note also the huuuge difference between the extent to which Israel does follow what there is of international law, vs the extent to which Iran and its proxies do not, in the least little bit. Yet the international “hate-on-Israel” community notes that not one jot.
From the Show Notes:
Israel’s war with Iran legal under international law—or is it a war of aggression?
In this episode of “Basic Law,” international law expert Professor Avi Bell joins host Aylana Meisel to unpack the legal justification behind Israel’s historic preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear program. Together, they dive deep into the laws of armed conflict, the principle of self-defense, proportionality and how international legal frameworks apply to the war currently shaking the Middle East.
Aylana Meisel, Executive Director of the Israel Law and Liberty Forum, hosts this high-stakes conversation with Professor Avi Bell, renowned international law scholar at Bar-Ilan University, University of San Diego and a fellow at the Kohelet Policy Forum. As Israel faces global criticism for a sweeping military campaign—including targeted assassinations, strikes on nuclear enrichment facilities and critical infrastructure—this episode offers viewers the essential legal lens through which to understand the unfolding war.
The episode covers key legal frameworks including "jus ad bellum" (the legal grounds for going to war) and "jus in bello" (the legality of conduct during war). Does Iran’s sponsorship of terror through proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah change the legal equation? Are nuclear scientists and oil depots legitimate targets? How does international law define proportionality, and does Israel meet that standard?
Professor Bell argues that Israel is not starting a new war but responding within an ongoing armed conflict initiated by Iran. Tune in to understand how international law is being manipulated—or misunderstood—by Israel’s critics and what it truly says about the right to self-defense in modern warfare.
https://youtu.be/yxkVDyA31MI?si=4ijCXxjnqQ2CqErE
