B’Tselem: All states parties to the ICC must respect the Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision and enforce the warrants

The ICC’s issuing of international arrest warrants for Israel’s leaders on the suspicion they committed the crimes of starvation, persecution, and intentionally directing an attack against civilians is one of the lowest points in Israeli history. 

Unfortunately, all we know about the conduct of Israel in the Gaza Strip over the past year – which was conducted with the knowledge and the direction of the prime minister and the ministerial cabinet – it isn’t surprising that the evidence indicates that Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity. 

Personal accountability for decision-makers is a key element in the struggle for justice and freedom for all human beings living between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, all states parties to the court must respect the Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision and enforce the warrants.  B’Tselem and other organizations have warned for years that the Israeli apartheid regime inherently involves severe human rights violations. During the past year, these violations have intensified to unimaginable dimensions. The Israeli government’s policy has resulted in tens of thousands of civilians killed, hundreds of thousands of civilians starved and the horrific suffering of millions.