The Intelligence from The Economist Not all’s fair: Israel and accountability
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Aug 8, 2025 
Shul Pfeffer, the Israel correspondent for The Economist, and Catherine Nixey, the culture correspondent, delve into the pressing issues surrounding Israel's justice system and allegations of war crimes in Gaza. They discuss the complexities of accountability amidst high civilian casualties and resource limitations. The conversation also touches on the outmoded notion of job-hopping for salary growth, juxtaposed with economic realities. Additionally, they reflect on the life of Father Patrick Ryan, an emblematic figure in the IRA's history, highlighting themes of innocence lost.
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Three Categories Of Allegations
- Shul Pfeffer lists three allegation types: battlefield conduct, official operations, and government policy on supplies.
- These categories frame potential war-crime probes from shootings to alleged starvation strategies.
Israel's Accountability Layers
- Shul Pfeffer outlines fact-finding teams, military police, military advocate general, civilian Attorney-General, and the Supreme Court.
- These institutions exist but face capacity and speed challenges in investigating mass allegations.
Investigations Overwhelmed And Slow
- Shul Pfeffer says Israeli investigators face hundreds of complaints and admit probes will take years.
- Critics and some army insiders say too few indictments and promotions despite alleged unauthorized demolitions.