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The Guardian: An investigation by the Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call has revealed a nearly decade-long covert campaign by Israel to disrupt the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This effort intensified when the ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, announced he was seeking arrest warrants against Israeli and Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes.
Israel’s intelligence agencies, including the Shin Bet, Aman, and Unit 8200, conducted extensive surveillance on ICC officials, intercepting communications to gain advance knowledge of the court’s actions. This surveillance extended to Khan’s predecessor, Fatou Bensouda, who faced alleged threats and personal intimidation orchestrated by Mossad’s director, Yossi Cohen. These actions were reportedly overseen by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who viewed the ICC’s investigation as a significant threat.
The surveillance efforts included hacking emails and monitoring phone calls, particularly those of Palestinian NGOs that provided evidence to the ICC. Additionally, Israel conducted secret back-channel meetings with ICC officials to challenge the court’s jurisdiction and dissuade investigations.
The U.S. government, especially under the Trump administration, supported Israel’s campaign against the ICC. This collaboration included economic sanctions and visa restrictions against ICC officials, aimed at undermining their investigations into alleged war crimes.
Despite these efforts, the ICC’s work continued, leading to significant tension between the court and Israeli and U.S. authorities. The exposure of these clandestine operations highlights the lengths to which Israel has gone to protect its leaders and military personnel from international legal scrutiny.
The entire article can be read at the link https://www.ft.com/content/d304a182-997d-4dae-98a1-aa7c691526db
