Why the world should ensure Netanyahu appears before ICC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.[Courtesy]

History was made recently after the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes. Even though the court as well issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, the man is presumed dead, and it is the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant that will be much-talked-about around the globe in the coming weeks, months and even years.

Given the attitude towards the court in Western capitals, and Israel's decades-long enjoyment of protection from many of the world's most powerful countries, save for Russia and China, those watching in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America will be keen to see if, indeed, action such as sought by the ICC could be taken against, not just the Israeli governmental leadership, but also, potentially, those in the West long accused of war crimes such as former US President George W Bush and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.