AT LAST: ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant after 6-month delay

Alameen Templeton
After a six-month delay, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has at last issued arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his fired defense minister Yoav Gallant over their genocide in Gaza.
“The Chamber issued warrants of arrest for two individuals, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024,” the ICC said Thursday.
Israel has been carrying out a genocide in Gaza since October last year, killing tens of thousands of people, in a vain attempt to destroy Hamas to avenge the retaliation against Israel on October 7 2023.
A long time coming
The court has taken so long to respond to its Prosecutor Karim Khan’s May request for the arrest warrants that arrest requests for three Hamas leaders have lapsed because Israel has already killed them – Yahya Sinwar, Muhammad Deif and Ismael Haniyeh.
Politico reports the warrant means Netanyahu and Gallant could be arrested if they travel to any of the 120 countries that are parties to the ICC.
The BBC reports the Hague-based court said Netanyahu and Gallant “each bear criminal responsibility” for “the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts,” as well as “intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population.”
Anadolu reports Irish Prime Minister, or the Taoiseach, Simon Harris described the arrest decision as a “significant step” toward Israeli accountability for its crimes. “The situation in Gaza could not be more desperate, is an affront to humanity and cannot be allowed to continue a moment longer,” he added.
“The court points to reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant each bear criminal responsibility for crimes perpetrated in the war in Gaza, including the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts,” he said.
“These charges could not be more serious,” the Taoiseach added, emphasizing Ireland’s longstanding position that international law must be upheld in all circumstances.
Israeli Nazis horrified
Breaches of international law, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, demanded full accountability, he said.
Predictably, Israeli government ministers lashed out at the decision, with ultranationalist National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir foaming at the mouth while calling the court “antisemitic through and through.”
Transport Minister Miri Regev said the genocide was Israel’s imperative, noting “this is not a crime, this is our national and moral duty.”
In Amman, Jordan, the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell said the arrest decision “is not political” and that it “must be respected and implemented.”
Zionists in Washington were bereft and horrified. Politico says nominees to join president-elect Donald Trump’s administration in particular were quick to condemn the court for daring to try hold Israel accountable for at least 44 056 murders after 412 days of relentless genocide. They threatened that the international tribunal would face consequences when Trump takes office in January.
Politico reports Mike Waltz, a Florida Republican tapped to be Trump’s next national security adviser, said the claims of Israel committing war crimes “​​have been refuted by the US government” (Truth check: they weren’t “refuted”, they were “ignored” after its own state department officials agreed six months ago Israel was committing human rights violations) and added that “Israel has lawfully defended its people & borders from genocidal terrorists.”
“You can expect a strong response to the antisemitic bias of the ICC & UN come January,” he continued.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the ICC had “chosen the side of terror and evil over democracy and freedom, and turned the very system of justice into a human shield for Hamas’ crimes against humanity.”
Gazans welcomed the decision, but held out very little hope the distant stranger, the rule of law, would prevail any time soon.