Israeli Consensus Behind Netanyahu

Al-Ahram, Egypt, November 24

In a rare show of unity, all Israeli political parties, even those opposed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration, vehemently condemned the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. This decision, if anything, has unmasked the underlying consensus among Israeli factions, regardless of political leaning, in their support for the actions of the Israeli military, which has been accused of committing grave offenses against unarmed Palestinian civilians. This unflinching unity is apparent in the widespread disregard for the haunting images of Palestinian children, casualties of these military operations, mirrored globally in their response to these grim revelations. Remarkably, some of Netanyahu’s adversaries remain steadfast in their determination to hold him accountable on domestic corruption charges, underscoring a commitment to the judicial process even in wartime. These charges, concerning alleged financial misconduct involving sums in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, seem limited in scope when compared to the ICC’s grave accusations against him, which involve allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians. Critics of the ICC’s decision often hasten to dismiss its significance, arguing that enforcement is improbable. They disregard the decision’s profound political ramifications, which, effectively, isolate Israel on the global stage regardless of immediate implementation. With 124 nations, including major European states, as signatories to the ICC, Israel faces substantial diplomatic pressure. This obliges Netanyahu and Gallant to avoid traveling to these countries. Notably, in the United States—where the Biden administration has voiced strong opposition to the ICC’s decision—the mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, took a stand, asserting his commitment to effectuating the arrest warrants should the chance present itself. He stated, “Our president may abstain from action, but local authorities will ensure that our community does not harbor war criminals. We will detain Netanyahu and Gallant if they enter our city.” Such declarations call upon other US cities to consider similar stances, suggesting that Dearborn might merely be the starting point for broader initiatives within America and beyond. Amid these developments, Mohammed Deif, the Hamas leader similarly sought by the court, faces a pivotal decision. Should he still be alive, Deif might consider surrendering to the ICC, contingent on Netanyahu and Gallant doing the same. This move could potentially offer a platform to highlight the justice of the Palestinian cause while exposing the alleged crimes committed by Israel, thereby galvanizing international scrutiny and debate. —Ahmed Abdel-Tawwab (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)