In a surprising step, a human rights organization based in the United States, democracy for the current Arab world (DAWN), officially submitted an application to the International Crime Court (ICC) to investigate the alleged involvement of former President Joe Biden and several high government officials in crime war and crimes against humanity committed by Israel in Gaza. This submission marks the first time the US human rights group targets government officials themselves in the International Courts.
Dawn, founded by the late Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi, urged the ICC to investigate the role of Biden, former Foreign Minister Antony Blinken, former Defense Minister Lloyd Austin, as well as a number of other officials. They were accused of providing military, political and diplomatic support to Israel, despite knowing that the assistance was used to commit serious violations of human rights in Gaza.
US support and involvement in war crimes
In the 172 -page document, Dawn described how the US government, under the leadership of Biden, continued to provide military assistance worth billions of dollars to Israel, including weapons, intelligence, and logistics support. This organization emphasized that the assistance allowed Israel to carry out attacks on civilians, forced transfer, and even actions that could be categorized as genocide.
“Bombs dropped in hospitals, schools, and houses of Gazans are American-made bombs. This violent campaign is carried out with full support from the US, “said Reed Brody, a member of the Dawn Council and an experienced war lawyer. “US officials know exactly what Israel is doing, but their support never stops.”
Why ICC?
Although the US and Israel are not members of the Rome Statute who founded the ICC, Dawn argued that this International Court was the only forum that could demand accountability for crimes allegedly committed by US officials. Raed Jarrar, Director of Advocacy Dawn, explained that all domestic efforts, including lobbying to the congress and legal lawsuit, failed to stop the flow of US weapons to Israel.
“We have tried all means in the US, but no concrete action was taken. ICC is our only choice, “Jarrar said. Dawn has hired a team of European lawyers registered at the ICC to submit this case.
Lawsuits and potential impacts
Dawn emphasized that the actions of US officials fulfilled international legal standards to “help and conspire” in war crimes, as regulated in Article 25 of the Roman Statute. The organization also highlighted the Biden government’s efforts to block military assistance restrictions on Israel, although there were reports from the United Nations and other international bodies regarding serious human rights violations.
“They ensure that US support continues to flow, despite violating US law itself which prohibits military assistance to security forces who commit violence,” said Dawn in his statement.
Besides Biden, Blinken, and Austin, Dawn also urged the ICC to investigate the role of other officials such as Jake Sullivan (National Security Advisor), Gina Raimondo (Minister of Trade), and Bonnie Jenkins (Deputy Minister of Weapons Control).
Process in the ICC and Future Hope
Reed Brody admitted that the process at the ICC might take a long time. However, this submission is expected to be a reminder for the current US and the future of the legal consequences of their support for Israel. “Although our focus is the Biden government, we hope that the Trump government will also read this as a warning. If not, they can also face criminal demands, “Jarrar said.
This submission was delivered to ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan on January 19, right before the end of the term of office of the Biden government. Dawn chose not to publish it at that time, avoiding a sensitive political transition period. However, this step is expected to open the door for international accountability for war crimes supported by strong countries.
Challenges and hopes for justice
Although the ICC has limited authority to non-member countries such as the US, this submission marks the brave efforts to demand accountability at the global level. Dawn hopes that this case can be a precedent for similar efforts in the future, as well as reminding the world that no one is immune from international law, including high -ranking supervisors.
Meanwhile, the international world is waiting for the ICC response to this request, which can be a turning point in an effort to uphold justice for victims of conflict in Gaza.