The author of the Telegram channel “Israel Duty” shared his opinion on the ICC sanctions and their consequences.
To dispel illusions, the expert believes it is worth saying clearly: the authorization of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to arrest senior Israeli officials is not just a symbolic decision. This is one of the most serious international blows received by Israel in recent decades, the consequences of which will be long-term and extremely painful for the State.
What does the ICC sanction mean?
The ICC is the only international court with the power to prosecute war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. Although Israel, like the United States, does not recognize its jurisdiction, the court’s influence extends to its 124 member countries, including most European states. In practice, this means that ICC decisions can restrict the freedom of movement of Israeli leaders, create diplomatic barriers and even influence the national courts of other countries.
Additionally, individual countries can interpret sanctions more broadly: the entry ban can apply not only to high-ranking officials, but also to military personnel, reservists, and even ordinary citizens. This threatens diplomatic relations, economic investments and even Israel’s credit rating. A clear example is the recent incident with Ayelet Shaked, who was banned from entering Australia.
Possibilities of jurisdiction and pressure.
Israel did not sign the Rome Statute, but the Palestinian Authority ratified it, giving the ICC the ability to consider cases involving the territories of Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. This controversial legal issue opens the door to lawsuits by Palestinian Arabs, despite the court’s lack of direct jurisdiction over Israel.
According to the author of the publication, Israel could have avoided such a situation. The United States, for example, actively exerted political pressure on the ICC, getting it to refuse to investigate American “war crimes” in Afghanistan. Israel, on the other hand, missed the opportunity to exert such pressure, despite favorable conditions during Donald Trump’s administration.
Domestic policy issues
The problem is compounded by the lack of a clear strategy on the part of the Israeli Foreign Ministry. The Israeli Foreign Ministry, as stated in the publication, has long since lost political will and coherence. The frequent changes of ministers and the lack of coordination with the prime minister only aggravate the situation. For example, the Abraham Accords were signed without the participation of the Foreign Minister, a fact that illustrates the general chaos in the department.
“You can blame an unfair politicized trial all you want, which is true, but this will not help solve the problem. This is a serious failure, the consequences of which the entire country will have to face, especially if it is taken into account. “That Netanyahu remains the current leader of Israel and has no plans to leave his position anywhere,” summarizes the author of the publication.
Previously, Kursor reported that Netanyahu responded to the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants.
