Judge Ryan Nelson of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed on Thursday to recuse himself from a case challenging the Biden administration’s Gaza policy. As The Intercept reported, Nelson in March was part of a judicial delegation to Israel, which was sponsored by the World Jewish Congress.
The plaintiffs — a mix of Palestinian human rights organizations, Palestinian nationals, and Palestinian Americans — claimed the trip’s ideological framing made it improper for Nelson to participate in the case. Oral argument is scheduled for June 10, and plaintiffs filed an emergency recusal motion on Tuesday.
“Appellants have moved to disqualify me from participation in this case based on my attendance at a judicial education conference in Israel in March,” Nelson wrote in a brief order. He disputed the merit of plaintiffs’ allegations of potential impartiality.
Update: June 6, 2024, 3:44 p.m. ET
The story has been updated to include a comment from the Center for Constitutional Rights that was received after publication.
CONTINUE READING ON THE INTERCEPT
Author: Serena Zehlius, Editor
Serena Zehlius is a passionate writer and political commentator with a knack for blending humor and satire into her insights on news, politics, and social issues. Serena spent over a decade in the veterinary field as a devoted veterinary assistant and pet sitting business owner. Her love for animals is matched only by her commitment to human rights and progressive values. When she’s not writing about politics, you can find her exploring nature or advocating for a better world for both people and pets.
