What are the political ramifications of ICC arrest warrants against Israel’s prime minister?
It signals the end of power politics where leaders have all too willingly used their power and alliances with disregard for ethical concerns.
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The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, is seeking arrest warrants for top Israeli and Hamas officials. Khan says he has “reasonable grounds to believe” the individuals bear responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
He has requested arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Yoav Gallant, as well as the Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, the head of its military wing, Mohammed al-Masri (known as Mohammed Deif), and the head of its political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh.
The ICC has long been criticised for an inability to challenge power inequalities and address structural injustices, for bias against African leaders, and for having cumbersome procedures. It has also been slammed for ineffective prosecutions against high-level alleged perpetrators.
Khan’s decision, however, marks a milestone in its mission. The prosecutions for crimes in Israel and Gaza signal the end of power politics, or “realpolitik”, where leaders have all too willingly used their power and alliances with disregard for ethical concerns.
Respect for international law drives the ICC. It has the capacity to investigate crimes committed in all 124 party states, as well as in other states when alleged atrocities are referred by the UN security council. Powerful states such as the United States, Russia...
