The ICC certainly had ample grounds for issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, although the warrants will probably never be enforced. There are many world “leaders” the ICC could go after, including Joe Biden and a few members of his cabinet. From Hussein Mehdi at thecradle.co:
The ICC’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu and Gallant has beamed a blinding spotlight on Israel’s war crimes, marking a major legal step in holding Tel Aviv accountable for its atrocities in Gaza, while shaking up the halls of international diplomacy.
Photo Credit: The Cradle
“The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision is one of the largest legal developments in the history of Israel. The 124 member states of the court will be legally obligated to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant if they enter its territory … and it may have broader repercussions that limit the ability of third parties to cooperate with the Israeli army.”
This is how Eliav Lieblich, a professor of international law at Tel Aviv University, summarized the potential consequences of the ICC issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The decision marks a historic step toward international justice for the Palestinian cause after decades of impunity for Israeli leadership, especially given the immense pressure from Tel Aviv and its US ally on the ICC’s prosecutor and judges.
The charges against Netanyahu and Gallant hold them accountable for acts of torture, violence, murder, rape, and the destruction of property by occupation forces under their command.
The court found “reasonable grounds to believe that the defendants intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population of Gaza of things necessary for their survival, such as food, water, medicines, and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity, from at least 8 October 2023 until May 20, 2024.”
It also noted that “by restricting or preventing the arrival of medical supplies and medicines to Gaza – including anesthesia materials and machines – the two defendants are responsible for inflicting great suffering through inhumane acts against people in need of treatment.”
