Mary Robinson, the former President of Ireland and the current chair of The Elders, says she welcomes the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan KC to apply for arrest warrants against Hamas leaders and Israel's Prime Minister and Defence Minister.
The ICC's decision "is a landmark moment in the struggle for justice and accountability in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," Robinson said in a statement on Monday, May 20.
“There is a case to answer on both sides, which should be heard in a court of law.
“The Elders commend the ICC Prosecutor for discharging his mandate with integrity and independence.
“All states should respect the Court’s authority and impartiality, and ensure its decisions are implemented.
“Any statements or actions that seek to denigrate, de-legitimise or punish ICC officials for acting in accordance with the Court’s mandate are completely unacceptable.
“Impunity for atrocity crimes during conflict must end.”
Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders, welcomes the decision by @IntlCrimCourt Prosecutor @KarimKhanQC to apply for arrest warrants against Hamas leaders and Israel's Prime Minister and Defence Minister.
“The decision by ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan to apply for arrest warrants… https://t.co/lYRoOQcPBg
— The Elders (@TheElders) May 20, 2024
A native of Co Mayo and Ireland's first female president, Robinson was a founding member of The Elders in 2007 alongside Nelson Mandela. In 2018, she became chair of the self-described "independent group of global leaders working for peace, justice, human rights and a sustainable planet."
Just days after the Hamas attacks in Israel in October, Robinson accused both Israel and Hamas of committing war crimes in an interview with RTÉ News.
The following month, she co-signed a letter to US President Joe Biden urging him to "set out a serious peace plan, and help build a new coalition for peace to deliver it."
A few weeks later, Robinson issued a statement warning that the US was becoming increasingly isolated over support for Israel's assault on Gaza.
In January, The Elders, including Robinson, called on Israel to comply immediately with the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to protect Palestinians in Gaza from acts of genocide.
More recently, Robinson joined The Elders in April in calling upon "political leaders who have influence to use their leverage to end Israel’s atrocities in Gaza by suspending arms sales, to secure the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas, and to compel the parties to commit to a permanent ceasefire and the two-state solution. "
In his statement on Monday, Khan said that he is filing applications for warrants of arrest for Yahya Sinwar (Head of the Islamic Resistance Movement [“Hamas”] in the Gaza Strip), Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, more commonly known as DEIF (Commander-in-Chief of the military wing of Hamas, known as the Al-Qassam Brigades), and Ismail Haniyeh (Head of Hamas Political Bureau).
He is additionally filing applications for warrants of arrest for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, and Yoav Gallant, the Minister of Defence of Israel.
Khan says he and his office have evidence that these people bear criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin responded to Khan's decision on Monday saying: "It is vital that we respect the independence and impartiality of the ICC Ireland condemns recent threats against the ICC and its officials - its role in ending impunity is essential."
I note today’s announcement from ICC Prosecutor, Karim Khan on applications for arrest warrants
It is vital that we respect the independence and impartiality of the ICC
Ireland condemns recent threats against the ICC and its officials - its role in ending impunity is essential
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 20, 2024
The Irish response to Khan's decision was markedly different from the US response.
On Monday, President Joe Biden said in a statement: "The ICC prosecutor’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous.
"And let me be clear: whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence — none — between Israel and Hamas.
"We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security. "
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