London | The decision of the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is risky. At stake is not just the fate of the two defendants but the reputation and relevance of the court itself.
Founded in 2002, it is the first time the ICC has issued warrants for the arrest of democratically elected leaders. It is also the first time it has pursued individuals whose enterprise has been substantially supported by the West. Of the 124 member states of the ICC on whom responsibility for enforcement of the warrants now falls, a good number – including the UK and much of Western Europe – provide arms and other military assistance to Israel.
