Varoufakis agreed with the ICC’s call for the Israeli prime minister to be prosecuted

The ICC announced on May 20 that it is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, a decision that both DiEM25 and MERA25 support.

It also calls for arrest warrants for Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and two Hamas leaders in the form of Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri and Ismail Haniyeh.

This is a landmark decision as it is the first time that an Israeli PM has been targeted by the ICC, and while many Western leaders, including United States president Joe Biden, have rushed to the defence of Israel, DiEM25 co-founder and MERA25 secretary Yanis Varoufakis fully supports this move.

“MERA25 and I, unlike the German government and opposition, condemn all violence against civilians. So, we are pleased that both Israeli officials and Hamas leaders are prosecuted. War crimes against civilians are thus separated from, on the one hand, Israel’s right to defend its citizens and, on the other hand, the Palestinians’ duty to tear down the Wall of Shame and to fight against the Occupation forces.

“Undoubtedly, the prosecution of Netanyahu-Hamas by the ICC has exposed the toxic hypocrisy of Germany’s political class. I almost feel sorry for them! Think about it: If Netanyahu is indicted by the ICC, they will have to arrest an Israeli PM if he steps on German soil. Will they then ban themselves too from Germany on the grounds of antisemitism? The delicious irony is irresistible.”

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