(Originally published in NewsMax.)
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has once again demonstrated its troubling bias by seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The charges against them — “willful killing,” “starvation of civilians as a method of warfare,” and “willfully causing great suffering” — are gross misrepresentations of Israel’s efforts to defend itself against Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
The ICC’s move to target Netanyahu is unprecedented, marking the first time the court has pursued the leader of a close U.S. ally. This decision comes despite Netanyahu’s prior appeals to President Joe Biden to prevent such an outcome.
The ICC’s accusations fail to recognize the context of Israel’s actions, which are aimed solely at neutralizing a persistent and violent threat.
Hamas, which initiated the current conflict with a brutal attack on Israel on Oct. 7, is a recognized terrorist organization responsible for heinous acts including murder, rape, and kidnapping of innocent civilians.
The ICC’s charges, presented by prosecutor Karim Khan, accuse Netanyahu of “causing extermination, causing starvation as a method of war, including the denial of humanitarian relief supplies, deliberately targeting civilians in conflict.” These charges overlook the fact that Israel’s military actions are a response to ongoing terrorist aggression.
War inevitably involves civilian casualties, especially in densely populated areas like Gaza. However, Israel has made significant efforts to minimize these casualties, resulting in a lower civilian-to-combatant death ratio compared to other modern conflicts, as documented by experts such as West Point’s John Spencer.
The ICC’s attempt to balance its actions by also seeking warrants for some Hamas leaders is equally flawed. This move implies a false equivalence between Hamas’ deliberate targeting of civilians and Israel’s defensive measures.
The terrorists’ own GoPro footage from their attacks is irrefutable evidence of their war crimes, yet the ICC’s stance seems to suggest a parity that is morally indefensible.
The court’s announcement will likely exacerbate antisemitism, embolden Hamas, prolong the conflict, and result in more unnecessary deaths.
Furthermore, the ICC has no jurisdiction over Israel, a nonmember state, as reiterated by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The ICC’s overreach in this case sets a dangerous precedent that could one day be used to target American leaders.
If we allow the “woke” mentality of the ICC to permeate Western nations, we have essentially surrendered to the international “woke police.” There is a time to draw a line in the sand and ignore the dangerous arrest warrant against Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Even President Biden, who has previously criticized Israel, condemned the ICC’s announcement as “outrageous.”
The ICC’s actions reflect an anti-American, anti-Israel bias that undermines the principles of true justice. If this warrant is issued, the U.S. should respond decisively against those responsible for this overreach.
America and Israel’s refusal to join the ICC is justified by the court’s apparent susceptibility to political bias and its disregard for facts and fairness. True justice cannot be entrusted to an institution that harbors such blatant animosity toward democratic nations defending themselves against terrorism.
As a policeman and founder of InVest USA (a charitable organization that provides bulletproof vests for police and other first responders), I emphasize the need to uphold real justice. The so-called justice being offered by the ICC is no more justice than putting a fox in charge of the hen house.
We must protect those who stand on the front lines defending our freedoms and ensure that justice is served based on truth and integrity.Michael Letts is the Founder and CEO of In-Vest USA, a national grassroots nonprofit organization helping to re-fund police by contributing thousands of bulletproof vests for police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. He also has over 30 years of law enforcement experience. Read More Michael Letts reports — Here.
