The ICC seems irrelevant here. Its purpose is to prosecute members and employees of governments and militaries who commit serious crimes. Which it is doing, albeit with a focus on weaker countries.
It has successfully issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and a few other Israeli government and military officials.
They’re not really being ‘ignored’ as much as you may think they are. It’s mostly that the warrants are only legally binding in countries that signed the Rome treaty. Which Netanyahu and his goons know to avoid.
That said, there were a few cases where a country decided not to act on such warrants, despite having full legal obligation to do so. It’s quite rare, especially in Europe, but it does sometimes happen.
Well, I did say it’s quite rare and not that it never happens.
There was a similar case in Poland last year, where the prime minister also invited Netanyahu to the country, completely ignoring the arrest warrant and assuring him that he’ll be safe.
In the end, Bibi didn’t show up and Poland’s PM likely expected as much. Not trying to defend either him or Merz, but these invites may just be political plays. Still a serious issue though, since they shouldn’t be inviting him anyway.
It has successfully issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and a few other Israeli government and military officials.
the prosecutor responsible for pursuing the warrants has been pushed out, so there’s no longer anyone trying to arrest netanyahu.
That said, there were a few cases where a country decided not to act on such warrants, despite having full legal obligation to do so. It’s quite rare, especially in Europe, but it does sometimes happen.
it goes beyond “few” and “rare” when the biggest and most powerful signatories – germany and france – actively ignore it and all incidents occured in less than 3 years.
The ICC seems irrelevant here. Its purpose is to prosecute members and employees of governments and militaries who commit serious crimes. Which it is doing, albeit with a focus on weaker countries.
It has successfully issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and a few other Israeli government and military officials.
They’re not really being ‘ignored’ as much as you may think they are. It’s mostly that the warrants are only legally binding in countries that signed the Rome treaty. Which Netanyahu and his goons know to avoid.
That said, there were a few cases where a country decided not to act on such warrants, despite having full legal obligation to do so. It’s quite rare, especially in Europe, but it does sometimes happen.
I like your optimism, but actually have very serious doubts:
https://www.dw.com/en/merz-invites-netanyahu-to-germany-despite-icc-arrest-warrant/a-71788069
Well, I did say it’s quite rare and not that it never happens.
There was a similar case in Poland last year, where the prime minister also invited Netanyahu to the country, completely ignoring the arrest warrant and assuring him that he’ll be safe.
In the end, Bibi didn’t show up and Poland’s PM likely expected as much. Not trying to defend either him or Merz, but these invites may just be political plays. Still a serious issue though, since they shouldn’t be inviting him anyway.
the prosecutor responsible for pursuing the warrants has been pushed out, so there’s no longer anyone trying to arrest netanyahu.
it goes beyond “few” and “rare” when the biggest and most powerful signatories – germany and france – actively ignore it and all incidents occured in less than 3 years.