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Some place their trust in international authorities — but there is only One worthy of our trust.

Headlines around the world are either accepting or vehemently disagreeing with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, who has requested arrest warrants for the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Israel, as well as three leaders of Hamas.

President Biden has called the application “outrageous”. In a strongly worded rebuttal to the ICC, he states: “Let me be clear – whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence – none – between Israel and Hamas.”

The Prime Minister of Israel also responded:

The outrageous decision by the ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, to seek arrest warrants against the democratically elected leaders of Israel is a moral outrage of historic proportions. It will cast an everlasting mark of shame on the international court. 

Israel is waging a just war against Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that perpetrated the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Hamas massacred 1200 Jews, raped Jewish women, burned Jewish babies, took hundreds hostage.

Now, in the face of these horrors, Mr. Khan creates a twisted and false moral equivalence between the leaders of Israel and the henchmen of Hamas. This is like creating a moral equivalence after September 11th between President Bush and Osama Bin Laden, or during World War II between FDR and Hitler.

What a travesty of justice!

Both the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Australia have failed to align with our closest allies in condemning this politically charged, irresponsible act by the ICC. Albanese said he could not comment on another jurisdiction – while in the next breath commenting on the Julian Assange case. The Foreign Affairs Minister says Australia supports the Court. Oh Australia! Whatever next?

Why Does It Matter?

The ICC is the highest judicial body in the world, supported by 124 nations, including Australia, but significantly not supported by the United States, China or Russia.

It was established in response to potential genocides in Yugoslavia and Rwanda. In 1998, member countries signed up to the Rome Statute to prosecute anyone responsible for war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. The main scenario in which the court acts is when a government is unwilling to prosecute criminals in their own country.

Clearly, this does not apply to Israel, a democratic country with a rigorous legal system. According to PM Netanyahu, the ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan made his surprising announcement a week before he was due to fly to Israel for his investigation. One can only assume this prejudiced announcement was politically motivated.

Of the thousands of potential cases that could have been investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC), only 44 individuals have been indicted, with 45 cases currently before the ICC. Further, only 14 out of the 45 have resulted in a complete proceeding, and only nine were convicted.

Israel has the Right to Defend Itself

Israel is facing an existential threat, fighting Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in the North, and PLO terrorists in Judea and Samaria. A small country of 10 million, surrounded by 400 million hostile neighbours. It is imperative it defends its citizens and creates safety and security within its borders.

There is no dispute that Hamas, a recognised terrorist organisation, committed unspeakable atrocities on October 7^th 2023.

Hamas uses its own citizens as human shields, placing its ammunition in civilian facilities like hospitals and schools.

It has inflated and distorted reports of casualties, failing to differentiate between military and civilian deaths. It has a vested interest in destabilising Israel and undermining the confidence of its leaders.

Hamas knows it cannot win militarily. It has, therefore, very cleverly orchestrated a propaganda war against Israel.

What are the Alternatives for Israel?

If Hamas laid down their arms, there would be peace. If Israel laid down their arms, there would be no more Israel. It is as simple as that. The avowed aim of Hamas and the PLO is the complete destruction of Israel.

Where else can Jewish people go to be safe? There is nowhere else. Thousands of Jews from around the world are seeking refuge in Israel. Since 7 October 2023, more than 6,500 people have immigrated to Israel. New applications are being received from areas of increased antisemitism, including France, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Adding Insult to Injury

In response to the ICC arrest warrants request, three countries have opted to declare support for the recognition of a Palestinian state. Spain, Ireland and Norway have decided the reward for terrorism, hatred, murder, and despicable violence is statehood. This plays right into the hands of Hamas and all supporting organisations and encourages them to continue undermining Israel.

Can you imagine what it would be like for your son or daughter to serve their country, knowing it was a matter of life or death, and constantly hearing the taunts of the enemy – “See, the whole world is against you.”

That the highest court in the world has equated the leaders of the terrorist organisation Hamas with the democratically elected leaders of Israel is an outrage.

The God of Israel Neither Slumbers nor Sleeps

One thing should be abundantly clear to anyone who reads their Bible. No earthly authority can outrank or outsmart God. In Psalm 2:1-4 we read:

Why do the nations conspire and the people plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed saying: “Let us break the chains and throw off the shackles.” The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.

Why does He laugh? Because the Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth and all that is in it, knows the end from the beginning. He is not mocked. He will redeem His chosen people.  He sees what is going on. As Psalm 121:4 tells us: He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

This is not the time for anyone to be sitting on the fence. Either you stand for good or evil. There is a clear choice. Don’t put your trust in governments, international organisations or worldly leaders. There is only one you can trust – His Name is Jesus.

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Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.