The arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court are the first time that leaders of a modern Western democracy have been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a global judicial body.
By themselves, the warrants, seeking the arrests of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, represent an important diplomatic landmark.
They will be seen by many countries in the global south, rightly or wrongly, as a sign that international institutions are no longer necessarily tools of the West.
The arrest warrants “are binding on all parties to the I.C.C.,” said Philippe Sands, an expert in international law who has argued before the court.
“If they set foot on the territory of a state party, that state party has an obligation to arrest and transfer to The Hague.
Persons:
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Yoav Gallant, Netanyahu, Gallant, ”, Philippe Sands
Organizations:
International
Locations:
United States, Israel, Hague