The International Criminal Court has been exposed as deeply antisemitic and politicized, using lawfare to target democracies like Israel who defend themselves against terrorism. The ICC’s recent indictment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes is seen as a tool to delegitimize Israel rather than uphold law. Despite the ICC’s lack of jurisdiction over Israel, it has proceeded with baseless accusations using Hamas allies as sources. This poses a threat to not only Israel but also to the United States, which is also not a member of the ICC and could be targeted in the future.
The ICC’s inaction against some of the world’s most brutal regimes, such as China, Iran, and Syria, further highlights its double standard and politicized nature. While these regimes commit heinous crimes against humanity, the ICC chooses to focus its attention on a democratic state like Israel that is actively trying to minimize civilian casualties. The ICC’s actions could potentially set a dangerous precedent for the United States, as it is currently under ICC investigation for alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. Defending Israel from the ICC’s lawfare now could help protect American soldiers and officials in the future.
The top donors to the ICC, including Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France, are funding an institution that is engaging in antisemitic persecution of Israel. It is crucial for the United States to take decisive action against the ICC by threatening financial sanctions against banks processing transactions for the court and imposing asset freezes and visa denials on ICC officials. The ICC’s leading donors must also make a choice between supporting democracy and the rule of law or aligning with terrorist sympathizers using lawfare to undermine both.
The ICC’s misuse of law as a weapon of war should not be dismissed lightly. The United States must pressure its allies to defund the ICC and impose financial sanctions to halt its operations. The ICC’s actions against Israel are part of a broader effort by anti-Israel forces to delegitimize and attack the Jewish state. By standing firm against the ICC’s lawfare, the United States can protect not only Israel but also itself from potential future targeting by the court. Ultimately, the ICC’s actions must be met with a strong response to defend democracy and uphold the rule of law.
