Can we hold Israel accountable against a “tsunami of threats”
JVL Introduction
A few days ago, we posted on the attack on and ousting of Karim Khan but this is so important that it bears further exposure and analysis. Khan headed up the International Criminal Court that issued arrest warrants for Israeli PM Netanyahu and then Defence leader Yoav Gallant and for Hamas leaders Mohammed Deif, Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, all of whom have since been killed by Israel.
A lengthy investigation into the allegations against Khan found insufficient evidence to pursue him for misconduct. Nonetheless, Khan has been ousted but this is hardly new. As Jonathan Cook explains, there were threats made against his predecessor and within this article is a video interview with her. There are threats being made against Zohran Mamdani for daring to use the word genocide and to argue for Netanyahu’s arrest and, of course, there is the ongoing harassment and threats to Francesca Albanese.
Cook also draws parallels with what happened to Julian Assange and reminds us about British culpability in the undermining of Khan and the ICC. The attack on the ICC – and other international institutions is worrying for all of us. Netanyahu is not the only political leader who has been responsible for crimes but Israel, with the USA, seem determined to prevent any accountability. Israel had previously operated covertly in its attempts to stop attempts at holding it accountable but no longer, it is all happening in plain view. (Also their determination not to be held accountable – and the success they have had and are still having – also strengthens allegations of Israel’s and Zionism’s control.)
Meanwhile, Palestinians continue to suffer genocide, ethnic cleansing and torture and one more avenue to stop this or to hold Israel accountable is being effectively blocked.
This article was originally published by Jonathan Cook's Substack on Thu 30 Jul 2026. Read the original here.
With Karim Khan's dismissal, the elimination of the war crimes court is near-complete
Millions of people around the world will now find themselves even more exposed to the criminal actions of predatory states. Unlike Khan’s accuser, they are unlikely to ever get their day in court
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When a swarm of law courts around the world are prosecuting the same crimes for which Israelis and the IDF are allegedly responsible the capacity of Israel to do harm to the ICC and ICJ will be much diminished. I think we’re on the cusp of that happening.
Attempts to prosecute politicians in the Israeli government and IDF personnel themselves are being made in Indonesia, Belgium, Ireland, France, Spain, Iran, the USA and the UK, I think. An Australian immigration tribunal has just given 3 young Israelis the right to apply for refugee status on the grounds these young people believe Israel is engaged in genocide and want to avoid taking part in such acts as IDF conscripts.
“There are safeguards to make sure the court will not proceed with allegations when they are made in bad faith”
This is what UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said back in 2001.
“Tyrants beware” (The Guardian, 3 April 2001).
A euphemism, perhaps, for ensuring that no western figure is prosecuted.
It’s excellent that this being pursued. I re-post my comment (not arousing much interest at the time) on JVL’s earlier article on what I see as this injustice and its likely perpetrators.
30th July 2026 at 13:39
If Karim Khan is credibly guilty then he should be charged and tried in a court of law before a jury, especially as the process he went through which ousted him smelled a lot like a stitch-up. If he is not so charged then more doubt arises as to whether Khan is actually guilty of the allegations made against him. The likelihood that the infamous Israel lobby concocted the charges in their endless campaign to ‘prove’ Israel is as pure as the driven snow is certainly credible.
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