ICC Arrest Warrant: Will Israel-US Distance Increase?
Last Updated on November 24, 2024 5:30 am
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. This move by the Hague court has opened a new chapter in international law and political reality.
The ICC has charged Netanyahu and Gallant with war crimes and crimes against humanity against the people of Gaza. The charges include using starvation as a weapon of war, genocide, torture and other inhumane acts.
Under the Rome Statute, the ICC’s 124 member states are now obliged to arrest them and hand them over to the ICC.
According to the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber, Israel has deliberately deprived the people of Gaza of their basic right to survival by cutting off their supplies of food, water, medicine and electricity. The court also said that these measures were designed to achieve war goals.
The role of the United States
While 124 countries in the world have signed the ICC Rome Statute, the United States has not signed it. The world’s most powerful country has always opposed this court.
Recently, President Joe Biden called the ICC’s decision “disgraceful” and reiterated his support for Netanyahu. Biden said in his speech, “There is no moral equivalence between Israel and Hamas. We will always support Israel’s security.”
This does not end here, a bill to impose counter-sanctions on the ICC has also been introduced in the US Congress. As a result, the US position on international law has been further questioned.
The risk of Israel’s global isolation
Meanwhile, the ICC warrant has further weakened Israel’s global position. Already, European countries, especially the UK, France, Germany and Italy, have supported Israel’s right to self-defense.
However, the ICC ruling has made it more difficult for them to comply with international law.
Experts say the ICC ruling could lead to new cases against Israel, even against dual nationals. The country’s commitment to international law will be severely tested if Israeli citizens living in Britain are tried on these charges.
Possible response from the Trump administration
Meanwhile, with US President-elect Donald Trump returning to power in 2025, how his administration responds to the warrant will be crucial.
According to David Hirst, editor-in-chief of Middle East Eye, if Trump is to show true loyalty to his ‘America First’ policy, he would be wise to distance himself from Israel’s controversial actions.
The ICC arrest warrant marks a crucial moment for international justice in light of the situation in Gaza. It opens a new chapter in the global debate not just on Netanyahu or Gallant, but also on the policies of the occupying Israeli government.
Now, if the US continues to support these issues, it will only weaken its position in the international arena.
Moreover, the ICC warrant leaves the world with a fundamental question: ‘Will you abide by international law, or will you support muscle power?’
Source: Middle East Eye