In Gaza, the US and Israel are killing international law
Nov 27, 2024
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The discussion highlights the U.S. vetoing a Gaza ceasefire and Israel's disturbing use of food as a weapon. It critiques the disregard for international law by both Israel and the U.S., particularly concerning the ICC and ICJ. The podcast delves into the structural biases of the UN Security Council and the historical roots of Western colonialism. Key figures are called out for their roles, including a billionaire media mogul. The narrative emphasizes the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and raises alarming concerns about the future of international law.
The U.S. has consistently vetoed UN resolutions aimed at addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, undermining international consensus and humanitarian aid efforts.
Israel's blatant disregard for rulings from international legal institutions like the ICJ and ICC highlights a broader challenge to the authority of international law.
Deep dives
Failure of International Legal Institutions
The actions of the United States and Israel in Gaza pose a significant threat to the existence of international law, highlighting the failure of post-World War II legal institutions designed to prevent atrocities. Despite repeated calls for ceasefire resolutions from the United Nations, the U.S. remains the sole dissenting voice, vetoing four resolutions in a year aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This resistance to international consensus reflects a lack of support for humanitarian aid and a willingness to allow mass civilian casualties, underlining the systemic failure of international mechanisms to enforce legal norms. The recent veto of a comprehensive resolution demanding immediate humanitarian access and the cessation of violence starkly illustrates the prioritization of political alliances over global humanitarian principles.
International Court Actions and Ignored Warnings
The International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court have both taken steps to hold Israel accountable for actions in Gaza, yet these efforts have been met with blatant disregard. Despite rulings suggesting that Israel should be investigated for alleged crimes, the Israeli government has openly ignored these directives, demonstrating a fundamental challenge to the authority of international law. The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Michael Fakhry, has described the use of starvation as a tactic by Israel, further evidence of the humanitarian crisis disregarded by powerful nations. Such inattention to international legal structures signals a dangerous precedent where the enforcement of law is undermined by political interests.
Western Bias in Accountability
The broader discussion surrounding the accountability of Western nations and their allies in global conflicts reveals a profound bias in the application of international law. Prominent media outlets, like the Washington Post, have suggested that international legal frameworks should primarily target nations from the Global South, while offering impunity to Western aggressors. This perspective underscores a colonial mindset where the West is perceived as above reproach, contrasting sharply with its demands for accountability from adversaries. The actions of Western nations, particularly in support of Israel's military strategies, reflect a broader commitment to a 'rules-based order' that privileges Western interests while ignoring the plight of those subjected to international law violations.
To defend their colonialism in Gaza, the United States and Israel have attacked every single legal institution upholding international law, including the UN, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Criminal Court (ICC), and more. Ben Norton explains how the imperial war on Palestine is a neocolonial assault on multilateralism and multipolarity.
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EAAytPjQzc
Check out our related video - US threatens ICC & allies over Netanyahu arrest warrant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqBtZxSYwaU
Topics
0:00 Intro
0:40 US vetoes Gaza ceasefire in UN Security Council
2:24 Israel uses food as weapon in Gaza
4:19 Israel violates ICJ rulings
5:26 US attacks ICC over Netanyahu arrest warrant
6:36 Washington Post: ICC is for Global South & Russia
7:59 Billionaire oligarch Jeff Bezos owns Washington Post
9:20 ICC was "built for Africa" & Russia
10:26 (CLIP) ICC prosecutor on Western pressure
10:51 Rules-Based International Order
12:47 UN Security Council
14:27 Wolfowitz Doctrine
15:35 US unipolarity
17:02 Western colonialism
18:23 Israeli colonialism
19:25 Israel is ethnically cleansing Gaza
20:45 Israeli minister Smotrich vows to annex West Bank
21:52 Israel attacks UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
23:42 Trump's UN ambassador pick Elise Stefanik
24:26 Trump withdrew US from UN Human Rights Council
25:15 Biden-Harris administration
25:54 UN experts warn Gaza war destroys international law
27:42 Outro
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