The Netanyahu government has been a disaster for Israel and its security.
However, the ICC chief prosecutor’s case is morally suspect and legally dubious. It undermines international law both when the chief prosecutor draws an equivalence between the actions of terrorists and those of democratically elected leaders, and when – in contravention of its remit – it launches cases against countries with robust, independent and fully functioning judicial systems.
Israel’s courts have previously tried and jailed the country’s most senior leaders. They are already investigating allegations of serious misconduct relating to the war. It is right that these are investigated and there is no reason to believe that Israel could not or would not investigate in this case.
Sadly, the chief prosecutor has chosen quite deliberately not to provide it with that opportunity. The British government’s desire to defend international law is laudable but its decision today is deeply disappointing and will not advance that goal.
More broadly, the chief prosecutor’s actions do nothing to bring us closer to a ceasefire or a two-state solution. Ultimately, the only way to advance lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians is through direct negotiations between the parties.
