In a move that rippled across the geopolitical landscape, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has caught the attention of Arab nations by issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ex-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The response from Arab countries was marked by support and approval.
Over in Iraq, the government expressed solidarity with the ICC’s decisive action. “The brave steps taken by the International Criminal Court echo a profound sense of justice,” stated Basim al-Awadi, the government’s spokesperson. With a touch of eloquence, he added, “This decision is a timeless reminder that neither oppression nor tyranny can outmaneuver the forces of truth and justice.” Al-Awadi painted the court’s ruling as a “victory for the blood of innocents and heroes fallen during the Zionist entity’s brutal assault on Gaza and Lebanon.”
He amplified Iraq’s plea for a cessation of Israeli aggression, urging “all nations valuing freedom to enforce this ruling and bring the accused to justice for their outright violations against humanity.” It’s a call to action that resonates far beyond Iraq’s borders.
Echoing this sentiment, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi underlined the imperative to honor the ICC’s ruling without bias, emphasizing, “This stands as a crucial juncture requiring swift international initiative to stop Israeli hostilities in Gaza.” In a joint address with Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy head, Safadi noted that “this ruling sends a critical message to the global community to end the Palestinian people’s suffering.”
Algeria lent its voice to the chorus of acclaim, hailing the ICC’s stance as “a pivotal leap forward in rolling back the longstanding culture of impunity enjoyed by the Israeli occupation.” The Algerian statement strongly articulated the ongoing injustices in the region, reminding the world of the crimes committed against Palestinians and neighboring nations.
The grim backdrop to these judicial actions includes a major Israeli offensive in Gaza following an incursion by Hamas last year, resulting in the tragic loss of more than 44,000 lives, largely women and children, and leaving over 104,000 people injured.
As the humanitarian crisis enters a second year, international condemnation of Israel has grown, with acts like blocking critical supplies being seen as attempts to wipe out a populace. Recognizing the gravity, the ICC, in a groundbreaking declaration, issued arrest warrants last Thursday against Netanyahu and Gallant, accusing them of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza.
In its announcement, the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I detailed, “We have issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in the Gaza Strip starting 8 October 2023, continuing at least until 20 May 2024, at the point when the applications for warrants were submitted.”
The Chamber went further, declaring that it sees “substantial evidence indicating both individuals intentionally and knowingly denied Gaza civilians the essentials for survival: food, potable water, medical supplies, and basic utilities like fuel and electricity.”
Adding to Israel’s legal woes, there’s an ongoing genocide case pending against the country at the International Court of Justice due to its devastating military campaign in Gaza.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
