Netanyahu obsessively getting all the updates of ICC arrest warrants in advance through Israeli Intelligence’s hacking and Surveillance
According to leaked information, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu probably knew about the plans of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court ICC a long time ago, thanks to the extensive espionage and cyber attacks by Israeli intelligence services. Papers by the Guardian and +972Mag revealed that Israel has waged a covert war against the ICC for almost a decade, spying, hacking leakers, slandering, and threatening Khan and predecessor Fatou Bensouda.
This report shows that Israel’s intelligence operation against the ICC was led by Shin Bet Israel’s internal security service, Military Intelligence Directorate AMAN and the Cyber Intelligence Division Unit 8200. These agencies collected relevant information and forwarded it to Israel’s Ministry of Justice, Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Strategic Affairs.
An intelligence source said Netanyahu is fixated on the intercepts from the ICC and described him as obsessed with the information. This sharp surveillance helped Netanyahu predict the actions of the ICC, including possible prosecution of him.
While stating his intention to seek prosecution of Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Israeli Defence Minister, and several Hamas leaders, Khan indirectly spoke of the pressure he receives from outside. “I would like to stress that all attempts to intimidate or otherwise influence officials of this court should be stopped now,” the lawyer said, noting that his office would have to act on future attempts.
The message obtained demonstrated the essence of pressure applied on Khan by the United States to decline the prosecution of Israelis. This only provides an extra layer to the politics that comes with investigations conducted by the ICC.
The earlier report by the Guardian and +972Mag also showed how Yossi Cohen, the former director of Mossad, spearheaded a toxic campaign to ensure that Bensouda does not open an investigation against Israel. The following are some of the despicable tactics used by Cohen that ICC officials describe as methods of personal intimidation and threatening actions. According to one of the reports, Cohen told Bensouda, can assist you, and let us protect you; you do not wish to get into things that compromise your security or your family.
In addition, allegedly Mossad targeted Bensouda’s family for spying and capturing their private talks to discredit her.
These surveillance and intimidation processes have reached their crescendo with Khan’s recent request for the top Israeli leaders to be arrested. Netanyahu and Gallant stand accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, with specific offences of the intentional starvation of civilians, the willful killing of persons, and the intentional attack on civilian populations. Hamas leaders include Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif. Among those crimes mentioned above are extermination, murder, taking hostages, sexual assault, and torture.
These discoveries demonstrate efforts made by Israeli intelligence to shield their elites from legal prosecution internationally. The actions undertaken by the Israeli agencies have incited a lot of passion and increased concerns about the sheer credibility and impartiality of the ICC process.
Thus, as the ICC continues with its probes, the world will observe how the court can resist outside influence and deliver justice. The revelations also exert extra pressure on Israel in its foreign ties, to the countries that recognise the ICC’s authority to launch probe into war crimes and crimes against humanity.
