Israel’s efforts to undermine the court’s work have been aided by its international allies. In a letter sent in February 2020, for example, Canada allegedly informed the ICC of its opposition to a criminal investigation in Palestine, reminding the court of the annual Canadian contribution to its budget. Though the Canadian government told media that it’s policy is not to release that kind of correspondence publicly, it did confirm that a letter was indeed sent. This was followed by numerous state submissions – from Austria, Australia, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, and Uganda – opposing the court’s work in Palestine.
However, the most egregious attempt to undermine the ICC came from the United States. The Trump administration, following the court’s consideration of the situation in Palestine, as well as of alleged war crimes committed by US personnel in Afghanistan, issued an executive order allowing for sanctions to be imposed against key members of the court’s staff, including its chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda.
Despite widespread international condemnation, Joe Biden’s administration has not yet rescinded Trump’s executive order or reversed its sanctions. Described by the ICC as an “unprecedented” attack against justice and the rule of law, it is vital that President Biden takes immediate action to undo the harm caused by his predecessor and bring the US into line with the principled foreign policy it professes. Rescinding the executive order in full is the crucial first step.
The ICC’s decision on Palestine affirms its impartiality, credibility, and its willingness to uphold the rule of law despite international pressure – but its work is not yet finished. To see perpetrators brought to trial in the Hague, Bensouda and her office must act swiftly, effectively, and with courage to finally see justice for Palestine and the culture of impunity enjoyed by Israel brought to an end.
International support will be crucial – with the ICC’s decision published, all states must now honour their legal obligations, enshrined in the Rome Statute and the Geneva Conventions, not to stand in the way of what Palestinians have demanded for so long.
Justice is the first step towards the peace we desperately seek, for the latter without the former is hollow. Palestinians longing for their right to self-determination, especially the younger generations, have finally received a message of hope.
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Shawan Jabarin | Radio Free (2021-02-11T23:00:00+00:00) Will a landmark ruling from the International Criminal Court finally get justice for Palestinians?. Retrieved from https://www.radiofree.org/2021/02/11/will-a-landmark-ruling-from-the-international-criminal-court-finally-get-justice-for-palestinians/
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