In a statement, the foreign ministry said France would 'respect its international obligations' but added that the Israeli leader was covered by immunity rules that apply to states that are not a party to the ICC.
Since he’s elected under apartheid, he kinda is a dictator even if he has popular support among the people Israel allows to vote. The terminology isn’t a good fit, but if everyone in so-called “Greater Israel” was allowed to vote their government would look very different.
Apartheid ethnostates could never be considered democratic, of course. Though if we think in terms of imperialism, this also indicts virtually every so-called democracy. France’s control over several African countries, for example. They don’t get to vote for their de facto “president” yet France controls their currency, debts, exports, etc. While not identical to apartheid, the idea of an ethnic supremacist culture ruling over people who had no explicit say in who rules is the status quo for the imperial core.
It’s important to not think of Netanyahu as a singular force for evil as if he is somehow separate from “Israeli” society. His unpopularity since October 7 comes not from displeasure over genocide or any other violence done to Palestinians - when that ramps up, his ratings improve - but because the wider “Israeli” public actually wants more blood, more domination, to restore their sense of complete superiority and security.
Although another thing to consider is Netanyahu would probably have been removed from office for corruption charges if it weren’t for the war, and he might decide to keep the war going indefinitely to stay in power. Very dictator-like
Since he’s elected under apartheid, he kinda is a dictator even if he has popular support among the people Israel allows to vote. The terminology isn’t a good fit, but if everyone in so-called “Greater Israel” was allowed to vote their government would look very different.
Apartheid ethnostates could never be considered democratic, of course. Though if we think in terms of imperialism, this also indicts virtually every so-called democracy. France’s control over several African countries, for example. They don’t get to vote for their de facto “president” yet France controls their currency, debts, exports, etc. While not identical to apartheid, the idea of an ethnic supremacist culture ruling over people who had no explicit say in who rules is the status quo for the imperial core.
It’s important to not think of Netanyahu as a singular force for evil as if he is somehow separate from “Israeli” society. His unpopularity since October 7 comes not from displeasure over genocide or any other violence done to Palestinians - when that ramps up, his ratings improve - but because the wider “Israeli” public actually wants more blood, more domination, to restore their sense of complete superiority and security.
All good points.
Although another thing to consider is Netanyahu would probably have been removed from office for corruption charges if it weren’t for the war, and he might decide to keep the war going indefinitely to stay in power. Very dictator-like