There was a waft of hope in the air, but it is now filled with the rank of deceit as the ICC is preparing to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials and has now backed down on ordering Germany to cease arms shipments to Israel which would be in line with charging Israeli officials with war crimes. When Israeli officials got wind of their impending warrants, they went straight to their daddy and demanded he pull the strings. It seems like the US has done just that because why else would the ICC take this step to eliminate weapons to the country committing genocide and war crimes unless leaders got to them and threatened them to back down? The US has sanctioned ICC prosecutors and revoked their visas, so do not think that the US is above targeting the ICC.
In complete defiance of international law, Netanyahu released a statement saying that, “Under my leadership, Israel will never accept any attempt by the International Criminal Court in the Hague to undermine its basic right to defend itself.” How can countries supply arms to Israel knowing that Israeli leaders have no respect or intent to uphold human rights and honor international law? How does the US feel it is acceptable to bully other countries and institutions into silence when Israel shows so little humanity?
With the threats looming above him, Netanyahu is not deterred to finish what he started- a genocide and complete destruction of Gaza. Every turn he is able to perpetrate atrocities against Palestinians who are simply trying to survive but are targeted and massacred. Even as the reports of upcoming warrants and a truce are in the news, Netanyahu promises to lay siege to Rafah. Netanyahu has stated that the evacuation is occurring in Rafah at the moment, but UNRWA counters this statement that no evacuation has begun. This leads to the next logical step that this is the exact circumstance that Israel wants so that they can kill more civilians in the refugee camp. There are about 1.5 million people in Rafah and a major invasion will result in a horrible amount of deaths, especially because there is no where for those in Rafah to go to safely (again, that is what Israel intends). Palestinians are trapped, they are cornered.
Netanyahu claims that Israel will move forward with their attack on Rafah whether or not there is a truce deal with Hamas or not. Israeli officials do not care for the lives of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Working out a truce in exchange for Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners should be the first priority of Israel, but they are clearly declaring what they care about and that is to ethnically cleanse Gaza and annex the land.
How can Hamas agree to any deal with Israel when Israel releases a statement of defiance toward any truce? Israel is directly affirming that they will not honor any form of a temporary ceasefire, so why even attempt any further discussions with Israel? They do not want to bring home the hostages, they want war.
Will the ICC issue these arrest warrants or will they back down in fear? As students and faculty members of universities across the world are putting their careers, safety, and lives on the line, I hope that ICC prosecutors and members are empowered witnessing such bravery and fight for human rights like these students and educators are fighting for them.
Call it out everyday for what it is- a genocide, ethnic cleaning, war crimes, annihilation, atrocities, starvation, insipid depravity, amoral, unethical, colonialism, and oppression.
Never back down.
Never give up your voice. Your voice is your power. No one can take that from you.
Fight for humanity.
From the river to the sea, may Palestine be free. May the whole world be free.
Protest
BE UNGOVERNABLE
Disrupt everything
Vote 3rd party
Boycott
Donate
Demand sanctions and embargoes for Israel, US, UK, Germany, France, Australia, UAE, Russia, RSF, SAF, M23, Egypt, Chad, and Rwanda.
Please extend your energy to other countries and people facing atrocities and genocide in Sudan, DRC, Haiti, West Papua, the Rohingyas, Armenians, and the Uyghurs.
Articles for reference. Please read and share.
Al Jazeera: Netanyahu says Israel will invade Rafah as Gaza ceasefire talks continue
The New Arab: US, Israel working to prevent ICC Netanyahu arrest warrant
Human Rights Watch: US Sanctions on the International Criminal Court