Daily Times

Even if there does not stand any arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for him, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal, killer and spoiled boy of the West. The recent ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former cabinet member, Yoav Gallant, give the world a legal and justified way to do justice with the blood of thousands of Arab Muslims in occupied Palestine, Lebanon and Syria. For the first time, an international forum has demonstrated the courage to hold Western allies accountable for actions that shock the conscience of humanity.

The ICC’s move to indict these leaders for depriving Gaza’s civilian population of essential supplies like food, water and medicine is a landmark step. The charges, based on deliberate and systematic crimes committed from October 2023 to May 2024, expose the scale of atrocities in Gaza, where the official death toll of 45,000 Palestinians likely underestimates the real human loss. While the United Nations has characterized Israel’s methods in Gaza as “consistent with genocide,” the ICC stopped short of invoking this term. Yet, the indictment sends a strong signal against impunity and double standards in international justice.

Historically, the ICC, just like the UN, has been criticized for selective prosecutions, predominantly targeting African leaders or adversaries of Western powers. The 2023 indictment of Russian President Vladimir Putin was a turning point, but it further cemented perceptions of bias. With this move against Israeli leaders, the ICC has taken a step towards addressing accusations of a two-tier justice system. It has shown that no leader or nation, regardless of geopolitical alliances, is above international law.

For Pakistan, this development carries resonance. The plight of Palestinians mirrors our own historical and ongoing struggles against injustice and occupation. This case can help Kashmiris in Indian occupied part, who have suffered a genocide-type situation for decades. The ICC’s action brings hope that the voices of the oppressed, often silenced in corridors of power, can find justice. It also challenges the international community, particularly Western nations, to reflect on their complicity in enabling Israel’s unchecked aggression.

However, this decision is just the beginning. The ICC faces immense political pressure, especially from the United States, which staunchly backs Israel and refuses to recognize the court’s jurisdiction. Israel’s non-membership in the ICC should not be an excuse to bring the killer regime to the court of law. *