Australia should support reforms to make the ICC fairer and more impartial

Australia should stand with its ally, the United States, in refusing to enforce the International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant. As Alexander Downer explains (“Rogue court embodies UN’s contempt for the West”, 2/12), enforcing these warrants would undermine Israel’s sovereignty and its legal system, which is fully capable of dealing with such cases. The ICC’s rules say it should only step in when a country is unable or unwilling to prosecute crimes, but Israel has a strong and independent judiciary.

Downer also highlights that the ICC’s actions appear politically biased, unfairly targeting Israel while ignoring similar actions by other countries, such as Egypt’s involvement in the Gaza blockade. This selective approach damages the ICC’s reputation and risks turning it into a political tool instead of a fair justice system.

Arresting current leaders would also breach diplomatic immunity, an important principle in international relations. Australian law does not require compliance with actions that violate such norms, making enforcement unnecessary and legally doubtful.

By joining the US and other allies, Australia would show unity in resisting international overreach. Instead of following these flawed warrants, Australia should support reforms to make the ICC fairer and more impartial, protecting its own interests and supporting balanced global justice.

John Kempler, Rose Bay, NSW

Another good column by Alexander Downer regarding the anti-Western bias of the ICC. And good on him for owning up to his own naivety at the time that Australia signed up to it.

As has been pointed out by others, the ICC and, on a much larger scale, the United Nations continue to be largely funded by the Western democracies despite those organisations’ obviously ant-Western bias. When will the West wake up and leave these hostile and useless bodies unfunded?

Philip Shaw, Victor Harbor, SA

Hostage fear

I watched the 60 Minutes special report on the Lindt Cafe terror, “17 Hours of Terror”, with great sadness and empathy for the victims. They spoke about the fear, terror and horror they experienced in that time. It was a horror you wouldn’t wish on anyone. The trauma is still with them now, 10 years on. Understandably so. I couldn’t help but think of another hostage situation, in Gaza, that is ongoing now. Ongoing for not 17 hours, but 420-plus days. Those hostages are experiencing fear, horror, terror, rape, darkness, no air, scarce food or drink, and continual uncertainty that every minute could be their last on Earth. Is anyone else thinking of them, empathising with them, crying for them, praying for them?

Ruth Guth, Double Bay, NSW

Ideological tactics

Thank you, Saul Kavonic, for opening up to us the act of domestic economic subversion being perpetrated by the Environmental Defenders Office (“Green lawfare on ALP’s watch amounts to economic sabotage”, 2/12). There is little doubt that the EDO is applying any means possible, including the exploitation of Indigenous communities, to bring about the total cessation of oil, gas and coal developments in Australia, with utterly disastrous consequences for the nation’s economy, trading relationships and foreign investment.

Expect similar campaigns if nuclear power is allowed in Australia. As demonstrated by the regimes of Stalin, Mao and today’s Iran, North Korea and Afghanistan, the pursuit of ideologies justifies any means, regardless of the tragic consequences.

That the Albanese government partially funds the EDO speaks volumes as to how out of touch and inappropriate Anthony Albanese is as a leader in today’s modern world.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

Power of logic

My Christmas wish is that the government appointed after the next federal election includes a minister for energy who is tasked with providing energy in various forms – for example, electricity, petroleum and gas – so that Australia’s manufacturing, transport, and service industries together with domestic users can operate 24/365.

The government would also appoint a minister for climate change whose duty would be to develop alternative energy sources that are as dependable and at the same cost as those being provided by the energy minister. At that stage it would be possible for our country to establish a climate change program and targets for switching fuels.

In the meantime, we should use the cheapest and most reliable fuels available so that we maximise the benefits to our commercial and domestic users. Anything less is a brake on our industries and a hit against our cost of living, which in turn lowers our standard of living.

Jim H. Eyles, Woombye West, Qld