ICC arrest warrants: The Palestinians have prevailed in the 'legitimacy war'

The International Criminal Court (ICC) delayed the formal issuance of arrest warrants for top Israeli political leaders directing the genocidal assault on Gaza for six months, although it responded affirmatively to a comparable request involving Russian President Vladimir Putin's alleged criminality in Ukraine.

Double standards, to be sure, yet ICC action is a welcome alternative to either denying chief prosecutor Karim Khan's recommendation of 20 May or delaying indefinitely the decision on whether the arrest warrants should be issued.

The ruling of ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the former Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant, given the overwhelming evidence of their responsibility for severe international crimes, comes as big news.

It is a blow against geopolitical impunity and in favour of accountability.

Read more: ICC arrest warrants: The Palestinians have prevailed in the 'legitimacy war'