Against the impunity of Israeli war criminals, France must support action and cooperate with the International Criminal Court
On November 21, the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC), by rejecting all appeals made by the Israeli State to declare it incompetent with regard to the situation in the State of Palestine in general, and With regard to Israeli nationals more specifically, issued arrest warrants targeting the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his former Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant.
These warrants were issued to “ crimes against humanity and war crimes committed at least from October 8, 2023 and at least until May 20, 2024 “.
This is an undeniable first victory for all defenders of international law and a first step on the path to justice for the Palestinian people.
Reading the press release published by the ICC, it appears that it considers having “ reasonable grounds to believe » that Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant “ bear criminal responsibility » of the following crimes: “ the war crime of using starvation as a method of warfare “, ” crimes against humanity » among which “ killings, persecution and other inhumane acts » and the perpetration of “ attacks intentionally directed against the civilian population “.
By thus targeting two of the main perpetrators, among others, of the genocide perpetrated against the Palestinian population of Gaza since October 2023, the ICC is in fact asking the 124 countries having ratified the Treaty of Rome, which normally have the obligation to do so, to call them out.
For the first time, there is potential for leading Israeli politicians, allies of Western states and particularly the United States, to find themselves before what should be an International Tribunal for Palestine.
The fact remains that there is still a long way to go, even if the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Ireland announce that they will respect the ICC decision. Some EU member countries, long-time allies of Israel, will do nothing despite statements by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who made it clear that the Court’s ruling must be respected .
The French authorities who claim “ comply with the statutes of the Court » are slow to express a firm commitment to execute the arrest warrants of the International Criminal Court. They must do so without further procrastination and resolutely support the action of the ICC.
After the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly of September 18, 2024, voted by a large majority of States including France, according to which the occupation and annexation of the Palestinian territory by Israel are illegal and must cease as soon as possible. quickly, this decision by the ICC is a tremendous encouragement to continue the mobilizations throughout France to obtain an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza as in Lebanon.
It is also an encouragement to continue solidarity actions to stop the criminal attacks by settlers and the occupying army in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem. Impunity is no longer appropriate for Israeli criminals and must be put to rest once and for all.
The France Palestine Solidarity Association calls for strengthening demonstrations and rallies like the one which will take place on Wednesday November 27 in Strasbourg in front of the European Parliament as a preview of the international day of solidarity with the Palestinian people which takes place two days later.
The European Union and France in particular must take their responsibilities and ensure the protection of the Palestinian people!
- Immediate stop to the aggression against the Palestinian people: Immediate ceasefire – End of colonization, occupation, apartheid!
- End of Israel’s Impunity: Sanctions Now – Suspension of the Association Agreement!
- Right to self-determination of the Palestinian people: Justice, equality, freedom – Recognition of the State of Palestine!
The AFPS National Office
