🔎 Could Netanyahu actually get arrested by top war crimes court?
Also: The Capitol's trans bathroom ban, getting news from influencers, and athletes do the Trump Dance
War crimes court issues warrants for Netanyahu and others
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Mohammed Deif, the Hamas military commander who was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike, was also charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, and sexual violence. These charges mark an important moment in international justice, raising questions about accountability, sovereignty, and the global community’s response to escalating conflicts.
What is the ICC and power do they have?
Based in The Hague, Netherlands, the ICC was established in 2002 to prosecute individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. While Israel is not a member state and does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction, the court ruled in 2021 that it has authority over alleged crimes committed in Palestinian territories, including Gaza. This is based on the Palestinian Authority’s 2015 adoption of the Rome Statute, the ICC’s founding treaty.
What are the charges?
The ICC alleges that Netanyahu and Gallant used starvation as a method of warfare, restricting essential aid to Gaza’s civilian population, and intentionally targeted civilians during military operations. Deif is accused of orchestrating attacks on Israeli civilians, including the mass killings and hostage-taking during Hamas’s October 7 assault. These charges stem from months of investigation into the devastating conflict, which has left tens of thousands dead and intensified calls for accountability on all sides.
How are the accused reacting to this?
Israel has categorically rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction, dismissing the charges as “absurd and false.” Netanyahu condemned the court as antisemitic and politically biased. Gallant, who oversaw much of Israel’s military campaign, accused the ICC of equating Israel’s actions with those of Hamas, a group widely designated as a terrorist organization. Both leaders maintain that their military actions are lawful and necessary to protect Israeli citizens from Hamas, which they accuse of using civilians as human shields.
Hamas, for its part, celebrated the charges against Israeli leaders as a long-overdue acknowledgment of what it calls Israeli war crimes. The group has made no formal comment on the charges against Deif, whose death remains unconfirmed, though the ICC stated that his alleged crimes formed part of a “widespread and systematic attack” on Israeli civilians. The Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, welcomed the warrants as a sign that international law could finally deliver justice to the region.
So will arrests actually be made?
The court’s lack of enforcement power poses a significant challenge. It relies on its 124 member states to arrest individuals under warrant, but major powers like the United States, China, and Russia are not members. Netanyahu and Gallant are unlikely to face immediate arrest, but their ability to travel internationally is now severely restricted. Countries like Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands have pledged to enforce the warrants, while others may follow suit, increasing Israel’s diplomatic isolation.
What does the United States say about this?
The United States has condemned the ICC’s move, with President Joe Biden calling the charges “outrageous” and reiterating unwavering support for Israel. Republican lawmakers have threatened sanctions against the ICC, while European countries have taken a more cautious stance, affirming their commitment to international law but remaining wary of political fallout.
What does this all mean?
The warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant, and Deif highlight the ICC’s willingness to pursue high-profile cases, even against leaders of democratic states or non-state actors like Hamas. Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and B’Tselem, have hailed the move as a landmark in the fight against impunity. These groups argue that the ICC’s actions could push the international community to prioritize justice for victims in both Israel and Gaza.
What happens now?
While the ICC’s actions are a bold assertion of international law, their practical impact remains uncertain. Arrest warrants alone do not guarantee justice, as demonstrated by the court’s previous inability to detain figures like Russian President Vladimir Putin or Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir. Yet they do have symbolic weight. For Netanyahu and Gallant, the warrants complicate their political futures and limit their ability to engage with much of the international community. For Deif, they underscore that even death may not shield alleged war criminals from accountability.
This moment marks a turning point, not just for the individuals charged but for the broader conversation about justice in conflict zones. Whether the warrants lead to trials or fade into diplomatic stalemates, they reflect growing pressure on the international system to address atrocities and uphold international law.
↪ Dig deeper: Top war-crimes court issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu and others in Israel-Hamas fighting (AP)
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It has been proven beyond any shadow of a doubt that since October 7 last year more food, water, medicines etc. entered the Gaza Strip than before. So the sexual predator’s accusation is nothing than a lie.