Urgent Call for Investigation and Trial of Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli Government for War Crimes
Dear Members of the United Nations and the International Criminal Court,
We, Politics4Her, are writing this statement to urgently call for the investigation and trial of Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli Government for confirmed war crimes committed in Gaza. The evidence supporting our claims is undeniable and has been corroborated by Human Rights Watch investigations: deliberate targeting of civilians, including children, the use of white phosphorus weapons, targeting hospitals, doctors, journalists, medical personnel, media facilities, schools, civilian buildings, UN shelters and the practice of collective punishment. These incidents unequivocally violate international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions and customary humanitarian law.
It is essential to highlight that during military occupations, such as the one in Gaza, the occupying power has a duty under the Fourth Geneva Convention to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, the food and medical supplies of the population. The Israeli government must immediately cease its total blockade of the Gaza Strip, as this practice puts Palestinian children and other civilians at grave risk. Collective punishment of the population is a clear war crime, and Israeli authorities should allow desperately needed food, medical aid, fuel, electricity, and water to enter Gaza. They must also permit sick and wounded civilians to leave for medical treatment elsewhere.
Israeli authorities have conducted massive airstrikes on densely populated neighborhoods in Gaza, resulting in the tragic deaths of more than 4,000 people, with over 1,000 of them being children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Moreover, it is essential to highlight that the actions in the region also risk forced displacement, which is yet another war crime. Approximately 70% of Gaza residents are refugees who fled their homes in what is now Israel in 1948 and their descendants.
We implore the UN and ICC to initiate legal proceedings against Benjamin Netanyahu and his government to ensure that justice is served. The gravity of these war crimes necessitates immediate action. Moreover, we call on the ICC Chief Prosecutor to formally warn Israel against committing further violations of international law. Although Israel and the United States have not ratified the Rome Statute, the ICC can still play a vital role in holding those responsible for these crimes accountable. It is imperative that the ICC issues a clear and public warning to Israel, making it known that violations of international law will not go unchecked. Historically, such warnings have been effective in deterring further war crimes. For instance, in 2018, Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda warned Israel about the forceful eviction of families in Khan-al-Ahmar, cautioning that such actions could constitute war crimes. Chief Bensouda was unequivocal in her stance and expressed her vigilance in monitoring the situation.
We urge the ICC to commit resources and personnel to conduct thorough investigations into these atrocities. We also advocate for the deployment of international independent experts and monitors to access conflict areas, document war crimes, preserve evidence, and conduct impartial investigations. The ongoing genocide demands immediate attention and action from the international community requesting an immediate ceasefire. War crimes are being committed with impunity, and we cannot stand idly by. If we are to uphold the principles of justice, human rights, and international law, all individuals and governments must be held to the same accountability standards.
We acknowledge the ongoing investigation by the ICC into Palestine and call for the allocation of additional resources and personnel to expedite the inquiry and ensure a comprehensive examination of all war crimes.
We stand united in our pursuit of justice and accountability for the victims of these grave offenses, and we implore the international community to take swift and decisive action.
Sincerely,
Politics4Her
