Published December 05,2024
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The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) current arrest warrants for Israeli leaders mark a pivotal shift in addressing Israel’s genocidal actions towards Palestinians, opening a “new era” of accountability, says Palestinian human rights lawyer Raji Sourani.
The ICC’s transfer towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who at the moment are needed for conflict crimes and crimes towards humanity, is a “landmark” resolution that alerts the tip of decades-long impunity for Israel, Sourani, founding father of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza, instructed Anadolu.
“We are heading to a new era where Israel will be very aware about any consequences in the future,” he mentioned.
“We are still seeing the genocide, the massive killing, the massive displacement, the massive starvation, and the blockade on Gaza … but definitely, whether Israel likes it or not, this will work like a snowball, and no power on earth will stop it.”
Israel will “be held accountable, not morally, but legally,” he asserted.
“Court decisions don’t end colonialism and racism, don’t end genocide, but they are the basis for that,” Sourani mentioned.
He referred to as for concrete actions from states to strain Israel, similar to halting arms shipments, ceasing financial assist, ending facilitation, and stopping commerce.
He reminded the worldwide neighborhood of the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling that Israel’s continued presence in occupied Palestinian territories is illegal and should finish “as rapidly as possible.”
“I hope the international community wakes up and helps the Palestinians in doing that,” mentioned Sourani, who has spent years compiling instances about Israel’s blockade on Gaza, submitting dozens of instances to the ICC since 2015 when the Palestinian Authority ratified the Rome Statute.
“How many lives should we lose? How much should the Palestinian people suffer till we manage to achieve such a decision? It’s good, but it’s very late, and we paid dearly and heavily. If there was accountability on time, the genocide could not have happened by Israel.”
– ‘HOPE THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE SNOWBALL’
Sourani underscored the necessity for broader accountability, urging the ICC to research and cost extra Israeli officers, together with prime navy commanders and representatives from the Coordinator of Government Activities within the Territories (COGAT).
“I hope this is the beginning of the snowball, and the two arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant are not the end, but the start of more to come,” he mentioned.
“Otherwise, Gaza will be the graveyard of international law.”
Sourani strongly criticized the US for its unwavering assist of Israel regardless of its conflict crimes in Gaza, calling it a “big shame.”
While many nations have supported a cease-fire, the US veto has paralyzed worldwide efforts to finish the genocide, he famous.
“This makes the international political system paralyzed and ineffective,” mentioned Sourani.
This is a serious downside in worldwide establishments, notably the UN, that should be corrected within the foreseeable future, he added, warning that failure would result in “a real call for the rule of the jungle, not the rule of law, which is not in the interest of anybody.”
Sourani additionally took problem with remarks by France, together with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, suggesting Netanyahu has immunity as a result of Israel will not be a celebration to the ICC-a declare swiftly refuted by authorized specialists.
“I think this is a very big shame … This is total disrespect for the court,” he mentioned.
Sourani pointed to EU international coverage chief Josep Borrell’s assertion that the ICC resolution is legally binding and never a political act, and expressed hope that this authorized readability would pave the best way for stronger motion towards Israel and its leaders.
Source: www.anews.com.tr