The ICC at a Crossroads in the Face of Superpower Rivalries
If you’ve followed my previous exploration of Zionism’s historical, political, and cultural dynamics, the intertwining forces sustaining systems of control and injustice will become clear.
What is unfolding in historical Palestine—especially in Gaza—was not just predictable; it was inevitable in a global system prioritizing power over justice.
This interconnectedness brings us to a critical question: What happens when institutions meant to hold power accountable are themselves undermined?
Gaza is not merely a tragedy of human suffering; it is a breaking point, exposing the fragility of a world order where justice is subordinated to geopolitical dominance.
Efforts to weaken global accountability mechanisms—the United Nations, the International Criminal Court (ICC), or the International Court of Justice (ICJ)—strike at the very foundations of global justice. These are not isolated procedural attacks; they represent a deliberate destabilization of the ideals of cooperation and peace that underpin international law.
As Professor Jason Hickel said, “The US and its Western allies do not care about human rights and international law when it comes to the global south.” They are willing to inflict apocalyptic, genocidal violence if it serves their material interests, and they will do so with impunity. See also: Iraq, Libya, etc.”
In today’s era of superpower rivalry, despite its critical mission to uphold justice in the face of international crimes, the ICC faces mounting opposition from powerful non-signatory nations (the United States, Russia, and China) in a battle between power vs. justice, underscoring the need to safeguard its independence and effectiveness in pursuing justice for the gravest crimes.
The two wars, Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza, represent, at this historic moment, the leverage in the two conflicts that is strategically employed to manipulate the dynamics underpinning socioeconomic and political agreements. The global system is fragmenting into opposing blocs: a “Global North,” spearheaded by the United States, and a “Global South,” led by Russia and China. All three dominate the UN Security Council yet reject the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the ICC. Their actions betray a worldview rooted in power, not accountability, as evidenced by their resistance to the court’s jurisdiction.
The ICC president warns of existential threats posed by U.S. and Russian hostility. Moscow has issued arrest warrants against ICC officials in retaliation for the indictments of Vladimir Putin and senior military leaders.
In parallel, the United States fiercely opposes the court’s pursuit of justice for alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza, proposing sanctions that could cripple its operations. Imagine: If the ICC is sanctioned, how would it function?How would investigators travel, pay salaries, or even draft judgments without access to global financial systems and basic software?
The imperialist mindset of the Western world can only endorse the concept of a “rules-based international order” for preserving global peace and security when the U.S. and its allies dictate it. It is now imperative to foster a multipolar world where every nation has equal rights and is held accountable under the rule of law.
The masks have been lifted. The conflicts are not driven by the rationales presented in propaganda but stem from a ruthless, ethically devoid colonial mindset. If the act of taking innocent lives, especially those of infants and children, is deemed a heinous crime, which it is, then it should be condemned as such in all conflicts, not just when it aligns with the political convenience of one world or the other.
This highlights the crucial role of the ICC’s legal professionals, whose tireless dedication underpins accountability in international law.
The work of ICC prosecutors extends beyond seeking justice for victims; it also strengthens the global commitment to maintaining the integrity of the international legal system.
In this video, Karim Khan, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, joins “Bigger than Five” at the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss the challenges the ICC faces in delivering justice to victims of war crimes in Gaza and worldwide.
Eroding Accountability: How Global Powers Undermine Justice and International Law
Speaking at the Doha Forum, Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh, a member of the legal team addressing genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), delivered a powerful critique of Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza and the occupied territories. Her words emphasized the critical need for accountability, particularly as the flow of arms to Israel shows no sign of slowing.
As Gaza becomes a litmus test for humanity’s moral compass, we are left to confront a profound question:
Can the principles of justice and accountability prevail, or will they be silenced by the unyielding force of unchecked power?
The War on the ICC: A Blow to Justice and Accountability
January 9, 2025, The US Congress Targets ICC Over Arrest Warrants for Israeli Leaders
And here we are.
A concerted assault on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and human rights organizations seeking to hold Israeli officials accountable for international crimes is escalating, threatening the very foundation of global justice. This campaign, led primarily by the United States and Israel, risks dismantling the ICC’s independence, undermining its legitimacy, and denying victims access to equal justice.
While Jimmy Carter’s state funeral was held at the National Cathedral on Thursday, January 9, 2025, the US House of Representatives passed the “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act,” aiming to sanction officials at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Its advancement reflects the growing challenge to international law posed by powerful nations prioritizing geopolitical alliances over accountability.
Key measures being proposed include severe sanctions targeting ICC judges, prosecutors, and staff. These punitive actions involve freezing U.S.-based assets, limiting access to essential banking services, and classifying the ICC as a national security threat—on par with terrorist organizations. The U.S. has also signalled its intent to pressure allies into rejecting cooperation with ICC arrest warrants for Israeli officials.
Simultaneously, Israel is moving to legislate its own measures to stifle international accountability. A draft bill set for review on January 12 proposes criminalizing contact with the ICC or other international bodies concerning cases against Israel, punishable by up to seven years in prison. This bill also authorizes “all means” necessary to secure the release of Israeli nationals targeted by ICC prosecution.
If these attacks succeed, the ICC’s ability to function as a bastion of accountability for the world’s most heinous crimes will be severely compromised.
The sacrifices and aspirations that led to its creation, inspired by the horrors of the 20th century, hang in the balance. The global community must act decisively to defend the ICC, ensuring that justice remains a universal right, not a selective privilege.
Dodging Justice: Inside Israel’s Strategy to Protect IDF Abroad
Israel is fully aware that it is committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. In response, it has internally circulated a guide for IDF soldiers to evade war crimes prosecution on January 5, 2025.
Titled “Here’s how to act if arrested abroad and what to check before flight.”
The guide provides detailed advice, including input from Nick Kaufman, a defence lawyer at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. He says: “According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry guidelines, any detained Israeli—whether a civilian or a soldier—is entitled to consular assistance. A soldier arrested abroad must immediately request a visit from the Israeli consul.”

The guide is part of a broader propaganda campaign under Israel’s Hasbara 2025 agenda, funded by the $150 million budget. This effort aims to shield Israeli soldiers from accountability through a combination of legal and diplomatic measures. On the propaganda and media front, efforts include orchestrated campaigns to shape public opinion, discredit international accountability mechanisms, and amplify narratives that justify military actions. Moreover, it labels any criticism against the Israeli government as antisemitism.
These campaigns leverage professional Hasbara advocates, representatives of various Jewish groups, social media, influencers, mainstream outlets, cultural figures, and international partnerships to counter criticism, promote favourable portrayals of the Israeli government and IDF, and suppress dissenting voices.
Key Points from the Guide
Here are some questions addressed in the guide for IDF, along with its notable “telling” answers:
- Will travelling become safer after the fighting ends?
“The risk may not diminish and could even intensify as Gaza opens to human rights groups and foreign journalists.” - Is it dangerous for soldiers who served in Gaza to travel abroad?
“Yes. The principle of ‘universal jurisdiction’ allows some countries to arrest, investigate, and prosecute individuals suspected of serious crimes, including war crimes.” - How can destinations be checked for risk?
“Human rights organizations publish online reports on universal jurisdiction practices. Consulting an international criminal law expert is strongly advised.” - Does sharing footage online increase legal risks?
“Absolutely. Posting videos or photos from service, especially content showing destruction or violence provides hostile organizations with evidence to support suspicions.” - What precautions should soldiers take before travelling?
“Avoid posting service-related content online, especially images of destroyed buildings or videos that could be perceived as incitement. Even minor posts could harm Israel’s image or be treated as evidence of war crimes.” - Should Israel fund soldiers’ legal defence abroad?
“While the state should defend soldiers wrongly detained for lawful service, credible suspicions of war crimes complicate such support, as it could set a precedent for others accused of serious crimes.” - Does Israel maintain a ‘blacklist’ of soldiers at risk?
“To the best of my knowledge, there’s no ‘blacklist.’ The IDF provides legal training and advice on battlefield conduct to mitigate risks.” - Which countries should soldiers avoid?
“The list of countries applying universal jurisdiction evolves. Even allied nations like the UK, France, and Spain have previously acted under this principle, with varying procedures for arrests.”
Beyond the Courts: People’s Movements Fight Against Impunity
January 10, 2025, Human Rights Experts Call on Senate to Reject ICC Sanctions Bill
On Friday, January 10, 2025, the experts who addressed the grave violations occurring in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories at the press conference on December 11, 2024, issued a statement(1) urging the Senate to reject the proposed bill sanctioning the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The statement, signed by Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory; and George Katrougalos, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, expressed grave concerns over the bill’s implications.
“It is shocking to see a country that considers itself a champion of the rule of law attempting to obstruct the work of an independent and impartial tribunal established by the international community to ensure accountability,” the experts stated.
They warned that passing such a bill would create a “blind spot for justice,” effectively legalizing double standards and impunity. “This not only undermines the universality that the international justice system is founded upon but also irreparably damages its integrity.”
(1) https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/01/un-experts-urge-us-senate-reject-international-criminal-court-sanctions-bill
Uniting for Justice: Challenging Global Inaction on Gaza
The fight for justice in this critical historical moment is being led by human rights organizations, legal experts, and intellectuals rallying to address the ongoing massacre of Palestinians and the collapse of the international order.
UN experts have condemned Israel’s actions, citing egregious violations of international law, including crimes against humanity such as murder, torture, sexual violence, and forcible displacement; war crimes, including indiscriminate attacks on civilians, the destruction of vital infrastructure, targeting of healthcare and humanitarian workers, and attacks on journalists; the use of starvation as a weapon, collective punishment, and arbitrary restrictions on humanitarian aid. As detailed by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)(1) and by the long list of leading experts, intellectuals, and global institutions in 2024.
(1) https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/12/israels-assault-foundations-international-law-must-have-consequences-un
Human rights groups have filed over 50 complaints worldwide against Israeli soldiers for alleged war crimes in Gaza, as reported by outlets such as Haaretz, the Palestine Chronicle, The Jerusalem Post,NBC News,the Times of Israel, OZ Arab Media,and the Times of India. These cases span multiple countries, including Brazil, Chile, France, South Africa, Belgium, and Sri Lanka.
The Hind Rajab Foundation
One such effort is the Hind Rajab Foundation (1), a branch of the March 30 Movement dedicated to pursuing justice for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and human rights violations inflicted by the Israeli state on Palestinians.
Established during the Gaza genocide, the foundation honours the memory of Hind Rajab (2) and others who have suffered or perished under Israel’s genocidal campaign.
The foundation’s impact has not gone unnoticed by Israeli authorities.
(1) https://www.hindrajabfoundation.org/
(2) https://www.hindrajabfoundation.org/memory/hinds-story
Israeli minister made death threat to the founder of the Hind Rajab Foundation
— MintPress News (@MintPressNews) January 6, 2025
Amichai Chikli, the Israeli minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, commented on Twitter about Dyab Abou Jahjah: “Hello to our human rights activist. Watch your pager.” Jahjah is the… pic.twitter.com/hD4fA46kAo
The Israel's strategy: The War of Words
Amichai Chikli, Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, issued a chilling death threat on Twitter to Dyab Abou Jahjah, the head of the Hind Rajab Foundation. Chikli’s comment—”Hello to our human rights activist. Watch your pager.”—was a thinly veiled threat aimed at silencing Jahjah’s work, particularly his success in aiding the arrests of Israeli soldiers abroad for their involvement in crimes against humanity.
This hostile response underscores the foundation’s effectiveness and the frustration it has provoked within Israeli leadership.
Israel’s efforts to counter the Hind Rajab Foundation have extended beyond Twitter, deploying a full-scale media smearing campaign aimed at discrediting the organization and its leadership. Prominent Israeli and pro-Israel outlets have amplified this effort:
Israel Hayom published an article titled “The Plot Against the IDF: How One Group Targets Israelis Abroad” that accuses the Hind Rajab Foundation of leading a “scary campaign” against IDF soldiers, portraying its leaders as employing “terrorist-sympathizing rhetoric.”
The Jerusalem Post echoed similar claims in an article entitled “The Ex-Hezbollah Terrorist Behind Hind Rajab Foundation, Doxxing IDF Soldiers.” The piece cites a leaked profile from Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Ministry labelling Dyab Abou Jahjah, the foundation’s founder, a “former Hezbollah operative.”
Jewish Insider published a piece claiming the foundation has “ties to the Hezbollah terrorist group” and accused it of initiating petitions to arrest IDF soldiers vacationing abroad in locations such as Brazil, Cyprus, and Sri Lanka.
The Gaza Tribunal
Another powerful initiative is the Gaza Tribunal (1), a People’s Tribunal comprising globally renowned intellectuals, jurists, artists, and leaders.
This tribunal was established to address the failure of the international order, including the inability of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to enforce its rulings on Israel’s actions, despite declaring them genocidal.
The Gaza Tribunal’s mission is clear: to expose and end Israeli occupation crimes, reconstruct Gaza, and reject the biased narratives perpetuated by mainstream media and political establishments.
Launched in London in November 2024 (2) it invites activists, former diplomats, scholars, and international jurists to collaborate.
To make meaningful progress, the tribunal advocates for a pragmatic approach, involving figures from the political elite and mainstream media—even those who may not be ideal allies in the long term. This inclusivity is seen as crucial for halting Israel’s destructive policies and envisioning a future built on justice and human rights.
(1) https://gazatribunal.com/
(2) https://gazatribunal.com/gaza-tribunal-launched-in-london-to-initialize-its-process/
Prof. Richard Falk, at the 4th Istanbul Education Summit, called out the global failure to end the ongoing genocide in Gaza and urged resistance against despair.
— Gaza Tribunal (@gazatribunal) December 12, 2024
🔗 https://t.co/92jKe9sCKI#GazaTribunal #JusticeForPalestine #HumanRights#GlobalJustice #StandWithGaza pic.twitter.com/hZaSutWQBP
Those in power must feel our wrath, which means constant acts of non-violent civil disobedience and social and political disruption. Organized power from below is the only power that can save us. Politics is a game of fear. It is our duty to make those in power very, very afraid.
Chris Edges Tweet
Continuing the Thread
In the previous article, part two, I explored how history is weaponized, narratives are distorted, and silence is enforced in the face of injustice. From Israeli Professor Ilan Pappe’s insights into the origins of Zionism to a U.S. documentary featuring young Jews redefining Jewish identity; from Holocaust scholar Omer Bartov’s analysis of genocide in Gaza to Professor Enzo Traverso’s examination of the manipulation of Holocaust memory—these perspectives challenge us to confront our shared humanity and moral responsibility. The thread concluded with Chris Hedges’ stark warning about humanity’s capacity for evil and the vigilance required to prevent it.
In the next piece, I delve into how Gaza is a testing ground for AI-powered warfare, exposing the devastating fusion of technology, impunity, and war crimes under global complicity.
Stay tuned as I continue unravelling the threads of justice.