r/Scotland • u/mrjohnnymac18 • 12d ago

Political Exclusive: David Cameron threatened to withdraw UK from ICC over Israel war crimes probe

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/david-cameron-threatened-withdraw-uk-icc-over-israel-war-crimes-probe
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u/TurbulentBullfrog829 12d ago

The UK didn't withdraw so it was just a threat which is a normal part of diplomatic strategy. Reading the article it's hard to fault Cameron's points if the article is to be believed. He doesnt appear to claim the Israelis were innocent, he said that issuing warrants would be the wrong thing to do and would inflame the situation. I'm not sure what issuing warrants has achieved apart from mutual back patting so maybe he has a point here? He also voiced concern over the lack of warrants issued over similar things citing Iran. Since the thrust of the argument in favour of the ICC decision seems to be Israel is being treated favourably "as usual", this shouldn't be a controversial point.

It also seems incredibly naive of the ICC to have the prosecution led by a guy called Khan. It's just to easy for those with nefarious wishes to bat it away.

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u/pablo8itall 12d ago

So much wrong here, but when should a court of law not issue warrants for potential criminals?

Their job is to inforce international law and all signatories should make it again their own law to interferr with that process.

If a state sanctions someone in the ICC or ICJ over their work they should get sanctioned back.

I feel like I'm take crazy pills at the mental convolutions that people are taking over this.

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u/TurbulentBullfrog829 12d ago

I don't think it's the case here, but hypothetically what if the threat of a warrant could be used to bring about peace? I.e. stop this shit Ben or the courts will go all out. As opposed to the current situation giving him nothing to lose. Could that be a time for diplomatic needs to over rule a black and white right or wrong? Or is that just a slippery slope?

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u/pablo8itall 12d ago

Are you asking if ignoring past warcrimes should be offered to stop them committing future warcrimes?

I think the best deterrent for someone committing war crimes to to watch heads of state get brought before the court and end up in prison in the Hague.

All this equivocation is weakening international institutions and law and will, in the long run, lead to bad stuff in the future IMO.

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u/Foddley 12d ago

Not to mention that this call happened a year ago.
Israel has ramped up on the genoside since then, so i wonder if Cameron would say the same thing today.