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USA TodayFeb 29
Australian Prime Minister Referred to International Criminal Court
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The Facts
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has become the first Western leader to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) under article 15 of the Rome Statute, for aiding and abetting Israel's alleged genocide in Gaza.
The 92-page filing, submitted Monday by an Australian law firm reportedly with the endorsement of more than a hundred lawyers, also brings allegations against other senior members of the Australian government — including Foreign Minister Penny Wong and the opposition leader.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Since the attacks of Oct. 7, Australia has condemned the violence perpetrated by both sides and has routinely called for international humanitarian law to be observed throughout. These allegations are founded on the basis of misinformation and have no credibility going forward.
Establishment-critical narrative
While Albanese is only one of a handful of Western leaders to aid Israel in it actions in Gaza, this is significant as no other leader has yet been referred to the International Criminal Court. While the allegations are yet to be proven, it ought to give the Australian government and other Western states reasons to pause before continuing to provide material support to Israel.
