The International Criminal Court (ICC) recently announced arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas Military Chief Mohammed al-Masri (commonly known as Mohammed Deif), citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. This development, celebrated by some as a step toward accountability, is riddled with contradictions and glaring omissions that expose the ICC’s double standards and complicity in endorsing genocide against the Palestinian people.
While the media hails the warrants as a breakthrough, a closer look reveals a disturbing reality. For instance, why would the ICC issue an arrest warrant against Mohammed Deif, who was assassinated in July 2024 by Israeli forces? This bizarre move raises serious questions about the motives and legitimacy of the ICC’s actions. More importantly, it diverts attention from Israel’s ongoing atrocities against the people of Palestine, including genocide—a crime the ICC has conspicuously failed to address.
A One-Sided Pursuit of “Justice”
The ICC Prosecutor, Karim A. A. Khan, alleges that Hamas leaders, including Deif, bear responsibility for war crimes such as murder, extermination, and taking hostages. However, the report completely sidesteps Israel’s systematic destruction of Gaza, its indiscriminate killing of civilians, and its flagrant violations of international law. By focusing on Hamas leaders, the ICC appears to validate Israel’s narrative of “self-defense,” while ignoring the mountain of evidence pointing to genocide against the Palestinian people.
The irony is stark: the ICC claims to be a neutral arbiter of justice, yet it has failed to acknowledge the systematic targeting of Palestinian homes, schools, hospitals, and places of worship. This is not just a failure of justice; it is an endorsement of oppression.
The Question of Genocide
The 1948 Genocide Convention clearly defines genocide as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Israel’s actions in Palestine—forced displacement, mass killings, and the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure—fit this definition. Yet, the ICC has remained silent on these crimes, choosing instead to issue symbolic warrants that will never be executed.
This selective approach to justice is not accidental. The ICC, under the influence of powerful nations like the United States and its allies, has become a tool for advancing geopolitical agendas. Both Israel and the U.S. are not members of the ICC, making it virtually impossible for arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant to be enforced. Meanwhile, Palestine, a member of the ICC since 2014, remains vulnerable to politically motivated prosecutions.
The Role of the Media
Mainstream media outlets like the BBC have played a crucial role in shaping public perception of the ICC’s actions. By emphasizing the arrest warrants against Hamas leaders and downplaying those against Netanyahu and Gallant, the media reinforces a narrative that vilifies Palestinians while portraying Israel as a victim. This distortion of facts perpetuates the cycle of violence and undermines efforts to achieve lasting peace.
A Call for True Accountability
Africa must take a stand in solidarity with Palestine. As Africans, we know the pain of colonialism, apartheid, and systemic injustice. The plight of the Palestinian people mirrors our own struggles for freedom and dignity. It is imperative that we reject the ICC’s biased narrative and call for an independent investigation into Israel’s crimes against humanity.
True justice requires holding all perpetrators accountable, not just those who fit a convenient political narrative. The ICC must recognize that its credibility hinges on its ability to address the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the illegal occupation of Palestinian land and the systematic dehumanization of its people.
Conclusion
The arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant may appear as a step toward accountability, but they are little more than a smokescreen designed to placate critics while allowing the genocide against Palestine to continue unchecked. The global community must rise in solidarity, demanding an end to these double standards and advocating for genuine justice. Anything less is complicity in the suffering of an oppressed people.
By Hon. Chimazuru Nnadi-Oforgu
OBLONG MEDIA UNLIMITED 
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