Tuesday, 21 May 2024

Threats against the ICC

 ICC officials threatened by US Republicans.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/20/us-lawmakers-slam-icc-prosecutors-israel-arrest-warrant-requests

The UK sits on the fence
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/reactions-icc-decision-israeli-hamas-leaders-2024-05-20/

The UN's response to the threats
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/05/israelgaza-threats-against-icc-promote-culture-impunity-say-un-experts

But the intimidation is only a legal offence within the ICC's own parameters and the US (plus Israel, China, Russian, India and Indonesia) are not signed up. The ICC has some powerful actors (the big European powers, Australia, Canada, Japan).

If countries were powerful, boorish or swaggering individuals who refused to sign up to or act for the common good we might say they were arrogant, bullying and selfish.

Israel, China, the US, Russian countries were already known to be some combination of grasping, exploitative, expansionist or meddlers in other countries affairs.

Now US Republicans are posturing, threatening and throwing their weight.

The way countries act mirrors human behaviour. For individuals far removed from geopolitics there are lessons about distancing oneself from individuals with those traits. Otherwise it leads to power play and conflict and inevitable winners and losers. You may (or may not) become a victim if you don't participate but your values and integrity are at less risk of compromise.

Meanwhile, here's John Mearsheimer talking recently on Israel's options now and why Iran is the winner. Full version.

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