What does the ICC decision against Netanyahu mean? What’s next? | news

issued International Criminal Court Today, Thursday, two arrest warrants were issued against the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu And former Minister of Defence Yoav GalantShe said there were “logical reasons” to believe they were committed War crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza Strip.

The court added, “There is reason to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant supervised attacks on the civilian population.”

She explained that the war crimes attributed to Netanyahu and Gallant include the use of starvation as a weapon of war, and also include crimes against humanity, represented in murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.

It also issued an arrest warrant against the commander of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Resistance Movement (agitation) Muhammad Al-Deif.

In the following lines, we seek to shed light on the decision and its repercussions and explain some of its aspects.

1- What is the criminal court? And what do you do?

A court legally established on July 1, 2002 under “Charter of RomeWhich entered into force on April 11 of the same year, and works to stop human rights violations by investigating genocide and war crimes.

120 countries agreed on July 17, 1998 during a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly In Italy, the “Rome Charter” was approved, and it was considered a basis for establishing a permanent international criminal court. Seven countries opposed this idea, and 21 abstained from voting.

2- How did the criminal arrive at the arrest warrant issuance station?

On May 20, a request was made by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Karim Khan Issuing arrest warrants against leaders of the Hamas movement and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against the backdrop of… October 7, 2023 attacks And the war on Gaza.

Netanyahu then described the request as “ridiculous” and Attorney General Karim Khan as one of “the most prominent anti-Semites of modern times.”

3- What matters to Netanyahu and Gallant?

According to what was stated on the international court’s website, Netanyahu and Gallant are accused of “the war crime of using starvation as a means of war, and crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts.”

The court found that “there are reasonable grounds to believe that the defendants deliberately and knowingly deprived the civilian population of Gaza of things indispensable to their survival – including food, water, medicines and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity – from at least 8 October 2023 to 20 May 2024.”

“By restricting or preventing the access of medical supplies and medicines to Gaza – particularly anesthesia materials and machines – the two men are also responsible for inflicting great suffering through inhumane acts on people in need of treatment,” she added.

The court also held Netanyahu and Gallant responsible for actions committed by Israeli forces under their command, including cases of torture, brutal violence, murder, rape, and destruction of property.

4- What is expected after the arrest warrant is issued?

Once the ICC issues an arrest warrant, its decisions are binding, but it relies on its members to ensure cooperation.

Therefore, if Netanyahu or Gallant travel to any of the 124 member states, the authorities in those countries will be obligated to arrest them and hand them over to the court’s headquarters in the Dutch city of The Hague.

Observers believe that Netanyahu and Gallant may not be arrested if they travel to countries allied with Israel, and therefore the ICC memorandum will be more of a “moral victory” for Palestine than anything else, and it will also deepen international pressure on Israel, as Netanyahu cannot travel to many countries. From friendly countries without embarrassing their governments.

5- How did Washington and Tel Aviv read the International Criminal Court’s decision?

Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders condemned the ICC’s decision, describing it as shameful and anti-Semitic.

The American President also criticized him Joe Bidenexpressing his support for what he described as “Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas.”

Michael Waltz, nominated for the position of National Security Advisor in the administration of the US President-elect, said: Donald Trump “Expect a strong response next January to the ICC’s anti-Semitic bias,” referring to when Trump will officially take office.