Benjamin Netanyahu’s pursuit of Hamas has led to a conviction by the International Criminal Court in The Hague. His actions, irrespective of what transpired that led to alleged war crimes, were, and are, crimes against humanity.
It has been as Netanyahu’s behest that the (IDF) Israeli Defence Forces, systematically obliterated Gaza, along with 44,000 Gazans, the vast majority of whom were non-combatant civilians, women and children. The arrest warrant for Netanyahu is to be enforced by the 124 member states, which notably don’t include either Israel or the United States, (More about this later). Along with Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader, Mohammed Deif were also indicted.
The (ICC) International Criminal Court said there were “reasonable grounds” the three men bore “criminal responsibility” for alleged war crimes against humanity during the war between Israel and Hamas. Both Israel and Hamas have rejected the allegations.
Mohammed Dief, is without doubt guilty of war crimes. Without listing his lengthy crimes, it is not in doubt and never was, as to his direction and prosecution of what can only be inhuman and heinous crimes. His direction and orders were “part of a widespread and systematic attack directed by Hamas and other armed groups against the civilian population of Israel.”(ICC)
Gallant, the former defence minister was found to “bear criminal responsibility for the following crimes as was Netanyahu.
- The war crime of starvation as a method of warfare;
- The crime of murder against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.
The court further found reasonable grounds to believe that “each bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population.”
It is worth noting that the ICC is a court of last resort and is supposed to act when domestic courts cannot, or will not, genuinely investigate or prosecute serious international crimes.
No Legitimate Defence
I am of the opinion that Netanyahu prosecuted the war in order to destroy Gaza, and with it, its civilian population. Netanyahu could have accomplished the elimination of Hamas in a much more intelligent and targeted manner in order to bring the perpetrators and their murderous members to justice. Instead, Netanyahu chose to attempt to teach a lesson. He would not only destroy Hamas, he would destroy any homeland that Palestinians could cling to in order to seek a future two state solution.
It was evident from early on that the IDF would prosecute the war ruthlessly, without consideration for human lives. Two thousand bombs that destroy entire buildings and complexes are not ‘pinpoint munitions’, they reign death and destruction on anyone within their killing zone, often killing hundreds of people depending on the strike location. The Mark 84, GBU variant is laser guided and can penetrate up to 15 inches (38 cm) of metal or 11 ft (3.4 m) of concrete, depending on the height from which it is dropped, and causes lethal fragmentation to a radius of 400 feet (120 m). Many Mark 84s have been retrofitted with stabilizing and retarding devices to provide precision guidance capabilities.
These weapons, supplied by the United States in massive quantities were used indiscriminately by the Israeli Air Force, specifically with the intent of destroying the infrastructure and buildings of Gaza with, I believe, the intent to force refugees to flee Gaza, whereupon Israel would disallow their return in the future.
Not only is the international community shocked and angered by Israel’s actions in Gaza, and now Lebanon, but a significant number of Israeli’s have been calling for Netanyahu’s resignation and prosecution for war crimes. It is likely that almost every nation would actually speak out in support of the ICC, were it not for the spectre of Anti-Semitism being thrown in the face of whichever state or leader chose to speak up.
What has been unconscionable, has been America’s unlimited support in light of the mass destruction and murder of innocent’s in the war. Once America chose to forget ethics and morality by assisting Netanyahu in his murderous plan to destroy Gaza and its citizens, it became complicit. Joint defence agreements do not enable those in receipt of assistance the right to mass murder of innocents. Might, is not right, and should never be accepted. Inhuman retribution for a crime that was also inhuman and inhumane, is exactly as the court found it to be – criminal.
As a Canadian, I stand with the Government of Canada in condemning the three cited in the warrant of the ICC. I also, do not support the Liberal Government, and will not vote for the Liberals in the next election, but in this instance, Canada is on the right side of history, and the law.
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