Among them Hashd ,122 Human Rights Organizations Commend Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, Urge Prosecution of All Perpetrators and Collaborators in Genocide in Gaza
Date: December 1, 2024
Press Release
Among them “Hashd,” 122 Human Rights Organizations Commend Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, Urge Prosecution of All Perpetrators and Collaborators in Genocide in Gaza
A total of 122 human rights and civil society organizations, including the International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR), have lauded the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants for the Prime Minister of the occupation and apartheid regime, Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant. The organizations consider this decision a long-overdue step towards upholding the principles of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and addressing war crimes and acts of aggression perpetrated by the occupation against the Palestinian people, aimed at genocide and forced displacement.
In their statement, the organizations emphasized that issuing these warrants marks a victory for international justice and human rights principles, reflecting a growing global consensus on the necessity of holding the leaders of the occupation accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity. They noted that the decision sends a clear message that the impunity long enjoyed by occupation leaders has come to an end.
The organizations also praised the member states of the ICC that have refused Netanyahu and Gallant entry into their territories. This strengthens the need to isolate and boycott the occupation internationally, including imposing an arms embargo akin to the sanctions once applied to the apartheid regime in South Africa.
Similarly, the organizations commended the pivotal role of global non-governmental human rights organizations, as well as the stance of South Africa, which has consistently affirmed its support for Palestinian rights. The statement recalled the words of the late freedom fighter Nelson Mandela: “The freedom of South Africa is incomplete without the freedom of Palestine.”
The statement urged all countries and international organizations to reinforce this decision by taking a series of measures, including banning arms exports to the occupation army, imposing economic sanctions, and condemning the crimes committed by the occupation against the Palestinian people. The organizations also commended the stance of Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who affirmed that the ICC’s decision is binding and must be implemented.
On the other hand, the organizations strongly condemned the United States’ opposition to the ICC’s decision, describing it as support for the occupation’s criminal policies.
The organizations concluded their statement by calling on the ICC to expand the scope of accountability to include all individuals, economic institutions, and political leaders supporting acts of murder, genocide, and starvation. This is essential to achieving justice and ending the ongoing violations against the Palestinian people.
To view the statement in four languages, click here.
End of Statement
