“This is seismic. The government has to immediately make clear it will fully support this process and halt arms sales to a state whose leader is facing prosecution as a war criminal.”
Ben Jamal, Director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign
By Matt Willgress
Today, in a challenge to those who have played down the Israeli government’s genocide and human rights abuses in Gaza, International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan announced he would be seeking the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netenyahu, and Defence Secretary Yoav Gallant, for war crimes.
The statement included charges for starvation of civilians as a method of warfare; wilfully causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health; wilful killing or murder; intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population; extermination and/or murder, including in the context of deaths caused by starvation; persecution; and other inhumane acts. All are war crimes under international law.
Campaigners were quick to stress the unprecedented nature of the charges. Ben Jamal of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign said “this is seismic. The government has to immediately make clear it will fully support this process and halt arms sales to a state whose leader is facing prosecution as a war criminal. Failure to do so makes clear, the UK does not support Human Rights Law and is happy to aid and abet violations of it”.
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament were similarly clear, saying “with the ICC seeking arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, the British government must immediately stop its support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza”. The peace campaign called for an immediate arms embargo.
In parliament, left MPs joined campaigners in calling for an end to the arms trade with Israel.
Zarah Sultana said “when you read [the news of the announcement], remember that the UK government has aided and abetted Netanyahu’s war crimes: from legitimising his brutal bombardment of Gaza, to supplying weapons to the Israeli military. That must now end. Our government must support the ICC and stop arming Israel.”
Similarly, Nadia Whittome MP told Twitter that “under international law, the UK has a responsibility to ensure it’s not complicit in war crimes. With the ICC seeking an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, there can be no more turning a blind eye.”
“We must demand a ceasefire and stop arming the Israeli government now.”
Others insisted that the government must support the ICC in its attempt to prosecute Israel’s Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. Jeremy Corbyn argued that “the ICC’s arrest warrant is a sobering wake-up call for political leaders who have aided and abetted crimes against humanity. The UK government must give its full support to the ICC and end arms sales to Israel.”
“We will carry on campaigning for a just and lasting peace”.
Beth Winter added that the “UK Govt must declare and demonstrate its support for this process. That must mean suspending arms sales licensing to those accused of directing attacks against civilians”
Building on calls to respect the jurisdiction of the court, Richard Burgon, also highlighted that the independence of the ICC following the ruling needed to be defended:
“Now the International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants, our Government must condemn threats and attempts to undermine the independence of the Court.”
“And it must do all it can to support the Court in ensuring accountability and justice for the victims of these crimes.”
Levelling criticism at not only the government but the Labour frontbench, Momentum told Twitter/X “Labour cannot back the ICC as it works towards the arrest of Israel’s prime minister for ongoing war crimes while continuing to support the arming of the Israeli state”.
Their remarks echo a strong statement from Mish Rahman, a member of Labour’s NEC, who said “the genocidal maniacs Netanyahu and Gallant are criminals for crimes against humanity. Sunak and the UK must now stop assisting criminals.”
Today’s dramatic announcement from the ICC underscores the need to continue to demonstrate for an immediate, permanent ceasefire, an arms embargo on Israel, and the recognition – and liberation – of Palestine. Let’s continue to join the demonstrations and renew the call for a free Palestine!
- You can read the Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s full response, published on Labour Outlook here.
- If you support Labour Outlook’s work amplifying the voices of left movements and struggles here and internationally, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon.
