The Financial Times newspaper says in an editorial that Israel – which is under increasing pressure from the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court – now more than ever needs responsible and sober leadership that the current prime minister is neither willing nor able to provide.
The newspaper explained that Israel now finds that its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has become a burden on it, and that his attack on Gaza appears to be faltering, with major goals that have not been achieved, and that his promise of “complete victory” has become unattainable.
Increasing isolation
She added that although Israel is not a signatory to the International Criminal Court, whose judges may reject Attorney General Karim Khan’s request to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and although the orders of the International Court of Justice are likely not to be implemented, Tel Aviv finds itself facing international isolation. Increasing.
The newspaper pointed out that a number of European countries pledged to recognize the State of Palestine, describing this as a “symbolic” blow to Netanyahu, who rejects any talk about a two-state solution.
She said that these expected confessions and legal pressure should be a wake-up call, and a moment for moderate Israelis to realize that despite global sympathy for Israel due to the “horrific” attack by Hamas last October 7, the actions of their far-right government are pushing the country into greater isolation.
Defective response
The editorial described Israel’s response to the International Criminal Court’s resolutions – in which it said that its prosecutor denies Israel’s right to self-defense – as flawed, as Karim Khan acknowledges this right in his request, but says that it should have been exercised in a manner consistent with the rules of war.
She explained that the arrest requests seek to prove that the laws of conflict apply to elected leaders and their armed forces, as well as to autocrats and non-state or “terrorist” actors, and may help bolster the credibility of a court whose initial focus on Africa has led to accusations that it only targets developing countries.
The Financial Times concluded its editorial by saying that Israel’s partners are frustrated by Netanyahu’s resistance to allowing more aid to enter devastated Gaza, and his determination to go ahead with the attack in Rafah. They are also angry at his refusal to develop a workable plan for the Strip after the conflict, and his failure to curb the… Raging Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank, and Israel’s rejection of US President Joe Biden’s administration’s plans to take steps towards a two-state solution, “which is the only way to provide the long-term security that Israel requires.”
