Prosecute the crimes

By Salama A Salama

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Many in the Arab world want to see Israel held responsible for the atrocities it committed in Gaza. The barbarity of Israel's offensive was such that the UN secretary-general, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the chief of the UN Relief and Works Agency all called for an international investigation into Israel's use of internationally banned weapons and its disregard for civilian life.

The carnage in Gaza should leave an indelible mark on the Arab psyche. It is time we admit that Israel doesn't want peace, cannot be trusted, and frankly deserves a taste of its own medicine.

The first who deserve to be tried for war crimes are Israel's gang of three: Olmert, Livni and Barak. Unfortunately, they have hoodwinked everyone, including the Palestinian Authority. They have misled Arab countries through a series of manoeuvres and gimmicks, while using the calming- down deal as an excuse. As soon as the calming-down period -- which was never calm by the way -- was over, the gates of hell opened.

Arab countries played host to Olmert, negotiated with Livni, and talked to Barak. But all the time, the three were scheming for bloodshed. And it would be shameful for any Arab leader to meet any of those three in the future, no matter what. It is time for Israel to be despised as a wicked and treacherous state. It is time for Israel to be seen as a danger to the region and the world.

In the absence of any real hope for peace in the foreseeable future, and considering the divisions on the Palestinian scene, we need to turn to international law. The Higher Council for Human Rights in Egypt has started to document Israeli war crimes in an effort aimed at tracking down the perpetrators. The council has called on the Arab League to file a case at the International Criminal Court and start lawsuits in various countries visited by Israeli officials -- especially the three named above.

Lawsuits filed in the courts of countries that are signatory to the Geneva Conventions are said to be the shortest way to punish Israeli officials, or at least limit their movement abroad. At least this would prevent them from visiting Egypt ever again. It seems there are obstacles concerning action at the International Criminal Court. And it may not be easy to form special courts by the UN Security Council, as happened in the case of Rwanda and former Yugoslavia.

Israeli crimes are not hard to prove. They were recorded by television crews, and the telltale marks of white phosphorous bombs and cluster shells were seen on the bodies of victims and in bombed areas. But Arab countries don't seem interested in filing lawsuits against Israeli officials. The Palestinian Authority, the only party truly entitled to do so, is not even open to the idea.

If you ask me, the Arabs are better at shouting about rather than defending their rights. They haven't explored ways of bringing Israeli war criminals to trial in Gaza, not this time and not at anytime before. They haven't asked for compensation for Israel's destruction of buildings, schools and homes. Israel, by contrast, is collecting compensation by blackmail and threats. Israel has brought Nazi criminals to trial, although their crimes pale in comparison with what Israel is perpetrating.

What is even more appalling is that the Arabs are the ones who will be paying for the reconstruction in Gaza. We will proceed to fix whatever Israel wrecks. I don't know what you think of all this, but to me it seems that we're somewhat subsidising Israel's assault on Gaza.

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