The International Criminal Court's action against Israeli politicians and the leaders of Hamas is a significant moment

Australia's tepid response risks undermining the post-World War II legal consensus

International criminal justice remains a work-in-progress, but the ICC [International Criminal Court] represents the best chance of continuing the principles brought to life by the UN tribunals. If the people of the world really mean ‘Never again,’ then we have to find a way to engage with and support those institutions that give that sentiment teeth.

— Daniel Terris, director of the International Center for Ethics, Justice
and Public Life, on Ratko Mladic’s conviction for genocide.

The application for arrest warrants against both Hamas and Israeli leaders by International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim AA Khan KC is a significant moment in international law.

It is rare for such warrants to be issued against sitting state leaders and unprecedented for them to be issued against leaders of such a close ally of the US. As expected, this has caused extensive controversy among Israel’s defenders, but it is also worth noting that a number of human rights organisations have called for the charg…