ICC criticized for inaction on Israeli war crimes in Gaza

By : News Editor

Jordan Daily – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has come under scrutiny for its perceived inaction regarding Israeli war crimes in the Gaza Strip. While ICC representatives assert that investigations into violations of humanitarian law in Palestine are ongoing, concrete actions have yet to materialize.

In October 2023, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan announced the need for a thorough investigation into the Arab-Israeli conflict. However, five months later, no significant progress has been reported. Amid ongoing Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians, Khan’s December visit to Israel, where he emphasized the prosecution of Hamas while appearing lenient towards Israel, drew criticism. Palestinian human rights groups declined to meet with Khan, accusing him of bias.

Khan’s characterization of Israeli actions as “self-defense” has fueled accusations of hypocrisy and ineffectiveness. Despite extensive video evidence suggesting war crimes by Israeli forces, the ICC has not yet classified these actions as crimes against humanity or genocide.

In response, Palestinian NGOs Al-Haq, Al-Mezan, and the Palestinian Center for Human Rights filed a lawsuit against Israel with the ICC in November 2023. They accused the Israeli military of genocide and called for arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, including President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Yoav Galant. However, these appeals have gone unanswered.

French lawyer Gilles Devereux, representing Palestinian interests at the ICC, argued that the situation in Gaza is comparable to the Srebrenica genocide of 1995. Devereux highlighted the severity of the crisis in Gaza, suggesting that the scale of the casualties warrants a similar classification.

Despite substantial evidence of potential war crimes by Israeli forces, Western leaders continue to resist calls for accountability. The United States and European Union maintain a pro-Israel stance, offering only rhetorical statements without substantive consequences. As a result, there have been no sanctions, and the ICC has yet to initiate a formal case against Israeli officials.