Statement by Civil Society and Human Rights Organizations Regarding the "Issuance of Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant"
The undersigned civil society and human rights organizations commend the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the occupation and apartheid entity, and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant. This decision is viewed as a long-awaited step in the right direction toward enforcing international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and the Rome Statute to address the war crimes and acts of aggression committed by the occupation against the Palestinian people, including genocide, forced displacement, and redrawing the map of the Middle East.
This decision is a victory for the principles of international justice and human rights, reaffirming the importance of holding war criminals accountable and restoring trust in international judicial institutions. The issuance of these warrants reflects a growing international consensus on the necessity of holding the leaders of the occupation and apartheid entity accountable for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. It sends a clear message that the absolute immunity enjoyed by these leaders for decades has come to an end.
The organizations commend the member states of the ICC—over 124 countries—that have shown a strong commitment to justice by refusing to allow Netanyahu and Gallant entry into their territories. This strengthens the prospect and necessity of isolating the apartheid entity, boycotting it, and halting arms supplies, similar to the global response to the apartheid regime in South Africa.
The role played by global non-governmental human rights organizations and South Africa in this context is highly appreciated. South Africa has steadfastly supported Palestinian rights since Nelson Mandela declared that "South Africa’s freedom is incomplete without the freedom of Palestine."
We hope all countries and international organizations will reinforce this decision with measures such as banning arms exports to the occupation forces, imposing economic sanctions, and condemning all acts that amount to genocide. We also applaud the position of the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, who affirmed that the ICC decision is binding and must be enforced by all member states and partners of the Court.
The organizations strongly condemn the United States' position, which supports the occupation and apartheid state and opposes the ICC's decision.
Finally, the organizations call on the ICC to:
1. Pursue judicial action against all state leaders who refuse to comply with the Court's rulings and continue to support the criminals.
2. Hold accountable and prosecute all those who provide weapons, equipment, and financial support to policies of killing, genocide, and starvation led by Netanyahu and Gallant, whether they are individuals, heads of political bodies, supporting institutions, or state leaders.
Signatories:
1. Organizations participating in the Global Court of Palestine
2. The Maghreb Coordination of Human Rights Organizations
3. Amman Center for Human Rights Studies
4. Moroccan Association for Human Rights
5. Jordanian Federation of Independent Trade Unions
6. Arab Women’s Association / Jordan
7. Alternative Research Center / Jordan
8. Khiam Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture / Lebanon
9. Tunis Center for Press Freedom
10. Global Network for the Defense of the Palestinian People
11. Arab Organization for Human Rights in Libya
12. Vigilance Committee for Democracy in Tunisia
13. Iraqi Human Rights Monitoring Association
14. Center for the Protection and Freedom of Journalists / Jordan
15. Women’s Network to Support Women / Jordan
16. Women’s Vision Association / Jordan
17. House of Freedom Organization for Human Rights and the Fight Against Slavery and Its Residuals / Mauritania
18. Mauritanian Human Rights Observatory
19. Organization for Freedom of the Media and Expression (HATEM)
20. Morocco Freedoms Observatory
21. Neema Development Association / Morocco
22. Shamou’ Association for Equality / Morocco
23. Moroccan Democratic Network for Solidarity with Peoples
24. Scandinavian Institute for Human Rights / Haitham Manna Foundation
25. International Institute for Peace, Justice, and Human Rights / Geneva
26. French Human Rights Observatory / Paris
27. Horan Forum for Citizenship / Syria
28. Arab-European Friendship Association / Paris
29. Syrian Medical Committee / Syria
30. Bahraini Human Rights Society
31. Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights
32. Insan Organization for Rights and Freedoms
