jordan pulse -

Dr. Munther Al-Hawarat

Palestinians have long endured the daily suffering caused by Israeli occupation forces, compounded by international silence and blatant bias towards U.S. pressure that refuses to acknowledge Israeli wrongdoing. This unyielding support has deprived Palestinians of rights recognised globally. However, amid an apparent dead end, a glimmer of hope has emerged, challenging the belief that condemning Israel at any international forum is virtually impossible.

This hope was sparked when the ICC Prosecutor issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The warrants stunned Palestinians as much as they shocked Israel, igniting a sense of optimism for justice at the end of the long tunnel of oppression.

Implications for Netanyahu and Israel

For Netanyahu, who often portrays himself as Israel’s second founding father after Ben-Gurion, this warrant is a significant blow. It transforms him into a "fugitive war criminal" rather than a statesman. Similarly, Yoav Gallant, once a key figure in Israel's defence establishment, now shares this grim fate.

The repercussions extend beyond these individuals to Israel’s global image. A country that has long marketed itself as a democracy upholding human rights now faces a stark contradiction. Its claims of having the "most moral army in the world" are juxtaposed against scenes of destruction, countless civilian casualties, and widespread violations. The ICC warrant undermines Israel’s narrative, presenting an international scandal that could force the world to confront decades of overlooked atrocities.

International Repercussions

The arrest warrant’s reverberations reach the United States, Israel’s staunchest ally. Despite possible denials, the U.S. cannot escape its tacit complicity in crimes committed with its knowledge and support. This places the U.S. in an ethically and politically challenging position, risking its credibility on the global stage.

Nonetheless, it remains unlikely that the U.S. will waver in its support for Israel. The immediate response from Israel and its allies has been to challenge the ICC’s jurisdiction, citing Israel’s non-membership in the Rome Statute. Coupled with intense diplomatic pressure on the ICC, Israel, supported by the U.S. and Europe, is likely to embark on a propaganda campaign to reinforce its narrative of a "moral army" and vilify Palestinians.

Potential Gains for Palestinians

Despite scepticism from some Palestinians regarding the warrant’s efficacy, Israel’s furious reactions and accusations of anti-Semitism against the ICC highlight its profound impact. The warrant strengthens the Palestinian narrative of systematic genocide and shines a brighter international spotlight on Israeli violations.

Importantly, it breaks the long-standing cycle of impunity for Israeli leaders, offering a glimmer of hope that justice, though delayed, is attainable. This development also weakens Israel’s global standing and challenges the portrayal of Palestinian resistance as terrorism, framing it instead as legitimate struggle.

The warrant bolsters Palestinian efforts within international institutions and strengthens global solidarity with their cause, potentially escalating pressure on Israel. The Palestinian Authority’s decision to join the ICC in 2015, despite Israeli opposition, and its subsequent legal action, has proven to be a strategic move.

A Small Step Toward Justice

While the arrest warrant is a modest step, it marks a critical milestone on the path to justice for Palestinians. Despite anticipated challenges in enforcing it, the warrant revitalises the push for international accountability and validates the Palestinian narrative. In this light, the warrant offers renewed hope to Palestinians and advocates for justice worldwide.