Germany stands accused in the hallowed halls of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Today, it will defend itself before the whole world, having been dragged to the ICJ by Nicaragua.
The Central American nation accuses Germany of facilitating genocide against Palestinians in Gaza through its support for Israel, its military and political ally.
Well, one can say that Nicaragua is not wrong to level such accusations seeing as Germany is the third largest exporter of arms to Israel.
Undoubtedly, Germany’s significant arms exports to Israel, totaling over half a billion dollars annually, provide weight to Nicaragua’s allegations.
Yet, the same level of scrutiny is conspicuously absent when it comes to the United States, which dwarfs all other nations as the largest supplier of military aid to Israel.
The absence of similar charges against the United States, the largest exporter of military aid to Israel, raises questions about the selective targeting of Germany in this legal challenge.
Why leave the largest supplier to pursue the third largest?
Nicaragua, why not the U.S?
In 2016, the US signed a record $38bn agreement to provide Israel with military aid over 10 years.
Of that, $33bn was for military equipment and $5bn for missile defence systems.
The US helps fund Israel’s Iron Dome short-range rocket defence system and the “David’s Sling” system to shoot down rockets fired from up to 200km (124 miles) away.
Could it be that the U.S.’s status as a superpower, coupled with its strategic alliances and vested interests in the Middle East, affords it a degree of impunity that smaller nations like Germany do not enjoy?
Could it also be that Germany’s decision to defend Israel in its ICJ case triggered Nicaragua’s decision?
Moreover, Nicaragua’s decision to focus on Germany may be influenced by pragmatic considerations.
Germany’s role as a major arms exporter to Israel presents a more tangible target for legal action, with concrete evidence of transactions and shipments.
In contrast, the United States’ military aid to Israel often takes the form of financial assistance and diplomatic support, making it harder to pinpoint direct culpability.
As the ICJ deliberations unfold, the outcome of this case will not only shape perceptions of Germany’s role in the Gaza conflict but also influence the discourse surrounding international law, human rights, and the responsibilities of arms-exporting nations in conflicts around the globe.
The ICJ also has to confront the uncomfortable truths that lie beneath the surface.
More Democrats Call For Halt Of Weapons Sales To Israel
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is putting U.S assistance to Israel under heavy scrutiny and prompting calls for Washington to put conditions on the military funding it provides.
Congressman Mark Pocan disclosed that 16 more Democrats have signed a letter addressed to U.S President, Joe Biden and Secretary of State, Antony Blinken urging a halt to weapons transfers to Israel.
“Big news! Our letter to withhold offensive arms transfers to Israel picked up steam today. We added 16 signers for our final push – 56 Members of Congress total. A shift is underway!” Pocan said in a post on X.
Last week, former US House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, a key Biden ally, joined dozens of congressional Democrats in signing the letter, which also called on the White House to conduct its own probe into an Israeli air strike that killed seven staff from the aid group World Central Kitchen.
The letter was signed by several high-ranking Democrats, including Representatives Barbara Lee, Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
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