by Ariel Kahana, Israel Hayom, 6/12/20
*By taking a clear stand against the International Criminal Court and backing it up with sanctions that also apply to ICC probes against Israel, the 45th president is once again proving himself Israel’s best friend.*
After threats comes action: Years of American warnings about the International Criminal Court’s continued probes prompted US President Donald Trump to take unprecedented steps against the problematic institution in The Hague on Thursday.
Trump, being Trump, has struck a direct blow to the staff of the ICC who were supposed to investigate ?US soldiers who were active in Afghanistan and Iraq. This applies not only ICC personnel, but also their ?property in the US and their families, who will not be allowed to enter the ?US.
The American move has teeth. It makes the cases against American soldiers pointless since the ICC will not be able to investigate the events in which they were allegedly involved, so it is likely they will fall apart. In addition, and more importantly, the step seriously damages the stature of the ICC, which has been trying to win international legitimacy for years. The stigma of being refused entry to the US will have an effect. Any country harmed by the ICC will now allow itself to fight it, as America did.
The ICC’s chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, spit in America’s face when she insisted on investigations. Now that America is spitting back, she is drowning – along with the institution she directs.
But things don’t end there.
*Trump’s sanctions include not only US military personnel, but IDF commanders, as well. Yes, ICC investigators who focus on Israel will not be allowed into the US or access to their property there. Practically speaking this is treating the IDF commanders as if they were US soldiers.*
The absolute comparison that the US president is making between his soldiers and ours marks another new high point in his incredible support for Israel. Cynicism cannot explain or mock Trump’s total commitment to Israel. Trump has raised support for Israel to unprecedented heights. __
Any American president that succeeds him and expresses support for the Jewish state will have to try very hard to clear the bar set by the 45th president.
The Trump’s measures against the ICC seem pretty toothless to me. He and his administration are under so much pressure from his own ‘deep state,” Congressman, state and municipal officials, organized rioters and looters, etc., that his words and actions are not likely to be taken seriously by the ICC and European governments.
Israel should also sanction ICC. If they enter Israel they should be subject to arrest.
Trump’s support, not only for Israel, but in setting the record straight on the ficticous judiciary of the ICC, and so much else, trumps the totality of US support thus far received, and what can be expected by any other President following TRUMP.
Support Trump in the next elections, he is the only hope for a normalized world order.
President Donald J. Trump is absolutely priceless. He stands head and shoulders above Obama and Bush.