Explore

Rapid Read Rapid Read
Booking.com Faces Scrutiny Over Listings in Israeli Settlements, Raising Legal and Ethical Concerns

Booking.com Faces Scrutiny Over Listings in Israeli Settlements, Raising Legal and Ethical Concerns

Booking.com is under scrutiny for listing properties in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. A report by the advocacy group Ekō highlights 41 listings in 14 settlements, including areas around the Jordan Valley and East Jerusalem. The settlements are built on land seized from Palestinian families, such as the Sbeih family, whose farmland was taken in 1982. The European Legal Support Center has filed a criminal complaint in the Netherlands, where Booking.com is headquartered, arguing that these listings may constitute money laundering under Dutch law. The International Court of Justice has previously stated that such settlements are illegal, and organizations should not recognize their legality.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Palestinian Family's Seized Property Listed on Booking.com Raises Legal and Ethical Concerns

Palestinian Family's Seized Property Listed on Booking.com Raises Legal and Ethical Concerns

A Palestinian family's property, seized and now part of the Israeli settlement Neve Daniel, is being advertised on Booking.com, sparking controversy. The property, once a farm owned by the Sbeih family, is now a rental with scenic views, marketed on the global travel site. A report by Ekō, a U.S.-based advocacy group, highlights 41 Booking.com listings in illegal Israeli settlements, which violate international law. The settlements are considered illegal under the fourth Geneva Convention and the Rome Statute. Despite a 2024 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice confirming the illegality of these settlements, companies like Booking.com and Airbnb continue to list properties in these areas. Booking.com has introduced labels advising guests to consult government advisories, but these warnings are not prominently displayed.
Reuters Reuters
Israel to sue New York Times over article on rape of Palestinian detainees, Netanyahu says

Israel to sue New York Times over article on rape of Palestinian detainees, Netanyahu says

By Steven Scheer JERUSALEM, May 14 (Reuters) - Israel plans to sue The New York Times and one of its journalists for defamation over an article that said Israeli soldiers, prison guards and settlers had used widespread sexual violence against Palestinian prisoners. 
Rapid Read Rapid Read
HRF Files Complaint Against German Prosecutor Over Dismissal of Charges Against IDF Soldier

HRF Files Complaint Against German Prosecutor Over Dismissal of Charges Against IDF Soldier

The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has lodged a disciplinary complaint against a German Senior Federal Public Prosecutor for dismissing a criminal complaint against Shimon Avichai Zuckerman, a German-Israeli IDF soldier. The HRF alleges that the dismissal unjustly shields Zuckerman from genocide charges related to his actions in Gaza. Zuckerman, a member of the 8219th Battalion, reportedly documented his involvement in the destruction of buildings in Gaza through videos posted on social media. The HRF argues that under Germany’s Code of Crimes against International Law, the state has a duty to investigate and prosecute its citizens for international crimes. Despite this, the German Federal Public Prosecutor dismissed the case in April 2026. HRF has appealed the decision and submitted a detailed investigative report on Zuckerman's alleged conduct. The organization claims the dismissal violates legal principles and accuses the prosecutor of complicity in shielding Zuckerman.
Trendline Trendline
TikTok Introduces TikTok Go for Direct Booking of Travel Experiences

TikTok Introduces TikTok Go for Direct Booking of Travel Experiences

TikTok Introduces TikTok Go for Direct Booking of Travel Experiences
AP News AP News
Israeli bulldozers raze about 50 Palestinian shops ahead of settlement-linked road project

Israeli bulldozers raze about 50 Palestinian shops ahead of settlement-linked road project

Israeli authorities have started the demolition of some shops built without permits on the outskirts of a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Millicent Walthew Awarded 2026 David W Rivkin Fellowship by International Bar Association

Millicent Walthew Awarded 2026 David W Rivkin Fellowship by International Bar Association

The International Bar Association (IBA) has announced Millicent Walthew as the recipient of the 2026 David W Rivkin Fellowship. This prestigious award is named after former IBA President David W Rivkin and is designed to recognize exceptional promise in young lawyers participating in the IBA's voluntary internship program in London. The fellowship not only includes a monetary award but also offers a unique mentorship opportunity with Mr. Rivkin, a leading figure in international arbitration and public international law. Walthew was selected through a competitive process that involved an essay and a video submission, showcasing her intellectual depth and commitment to the rule of law. Her background includes a Master’s degree in public international law from Université Jean Moulin in France, with a focus on international investment law, human rights, and international environmental law.
Trendline Trendline
TikTok Launches TikTok GO for In-App Travel Bookings, Expanding User Engagement

TikTok Launches TikTok GO for In-App Travel Bookings, Expanding User Engagement

TikTok Launches TikTok GO for In-App Travel Bookings, Expanding User Engagement
Trendline Trendline
TikTok Launches TikTok GO, Enabling In-App Travel Bookings for U.S. Users

TikTok Launches TikTok GO, Enabling In-App Travel Bookings for U.S. Users

TikTok Launches TikTok GO, Enabling In-App Travel Bookings for U.S. Users
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Brazilian Activist Alleges Torture During Israeli Detention After Flotilla Interception

Brazilian Activist Alleges Torture During Israeli Detention After Flotilla Interception

Brazilian activist Thiago Avila has returned to Sao Paulo after being detained by Israeli authorities for 10 days. Avila, along with Spanish national Abu Keshek, was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla attempting to break Israel's blockade of Gaza. They were arrested on suspicion of aiding the enemy and contact with a terrorist group, charges they deny. Avila claims he was tortured and witnessed abuses of Palestinian prisoners during his detention. Israel has dismissed these allegations, stating all actions were lawful. The incident has drawn criticism from the governments of Spain and Brazil, who deem the detention unlawful.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
EU Sanctions Target Russian Officials Over Abduction of Ukrainian Children

EU Sanctions Target Russian Officials Over Abduction of Ukrainian Children

The European Union has imposed sanctions on 16 Russian officials and seven centers involved in the abduction and forced assimilation of Ukrainian children. These measures are part of a broader effort to address the unlawful deportation of over 20,500 children since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes, targeting those responsible for indoctrinating and militarizing Ukrainian minors. The EU's actions coincide with an International Coalition meeting aimed at increasing diplomatic pressure on Russia and supporting efforts to trace and return the abducted children.
Trendline Trendline
TikTok Launches TikTok GO to Facilitate In-App Travel Bookings in the U.S.

TikTok Launches TikTok GO to Facilitate In-App Travel Bookings in the U.S.

TikTok Launches TikTok GO to Facilitate In-App Travel Bookings in the U.S.