“This shows that there is no leader above the law,” says a lawyer specializing in international law

The request of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders “shows that international humanitarian law applies to everyone”greeted lawyer Emmanuel Daoud, a specialist in international criminal law and registered on the list of lawyers at the International Criminal Court, on Monday May 20 on franceinfo.

“What the prosecutor’s office has done is to show that there is no state above the law, no leader above the law and that a Palestinian life is worth as much as an Israeli life”according to the lawyer, who denounces “pressures” of US President Joe Biden against the ICC. Monday evening, Joe Biden described this requisition of the ICC as “scandalous”.

“This is an interference by the President of the United States in the functioning of the Court”denounced the lawyer. “I recall that on the basis of Article 70 of the Rome Statute, the ICC can initiate proceedings against people who exert pressure or prevent judges from doing their work.” “This evening, rather than adopting Mr. Biden’s tone, we should rather welcome this decision and these requested arrest warrants”continued Mr. Daoud. “Let us rejoice, international justice is happening, the ICC is becoming more effective, in the name of humanity and the fight against impunity”. “Yes, the State of Israel has the right to defend itself against aggression. No, the State of Israel cannot defend itself in a disproportionate manner by exterminating, by starving the Gazan civilian population. These are the elements provided by the prosecutor’s office”he finished.