"I Was Only Following Orders"

The arrest warrants issued for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, coupled with the ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into alleged genocide in Gaza, represent a watershed moment in holding Israeli leaders accountable for crimes against humanity. But these developments might have even broader implications, potentially paving the way for the prosecution of rank-and-file Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers, particularly those with dual nationality residing in ICC or ICJ member states. For decades, the idea of prosecuting individuals involved in these crimes seemed unattainable, but the once-ironclad shield of impunity may finally be cracking.

No Immunity for War Crimes

The Nuremberg Trials established a precedent that echoes powerfully today: "I was only following orders" is not a valid defense for committing war crimes or genocide. This principle underpins the international legal framework, which demands accountability regardless of rank or chain of command.

IDF soldiers with dual citizenship can no longer assume protection under 'Israel's' legal and political immunity. Signatories of the ICC are obligated to investigate and prosecute war crimes committed by their citizens.

The era of unquestioned impunity may be nearing its end.

Social Media: The Smoking Gun

The IDF’s war crimes are not hidden—they’re broadcasted. Social media is replete with videos of soldiers boasting about bombing civilian areas, footage of decimated homes and hospitals, and even celebrations of mass killings. These public displays, often shared without fear of reprisal, could now serve as key evidence in international courts.

What was once an unchecked display of power has become a digital trail of incrimination. The platforms used to glorify these actions may now become critical in convicting those who participated.

The very platforms IDF soldiers used to flaunt their actions could now convict them.

Propaganda as a Tool of Genocide

The ICC has previously prosecuted individuals not just for acts of violence but for incitement to violence and genocide. During the Rwandan Genocide, media figures and public personalities were held accountable for encouraging mass atrocities. The same scrutiny could now be applied to those who justified or lauded the IDF’s actions.

Statements labelling all Palestinians as "terrorists" or calling for the "flattening of Gaza" create a clear trail of incitement. Descriptions of Palestinians as "human animals" and celebrations of civilian casualties as "necessary collateral damage" are not only inflammatory but potentially actionable under international law.

Just as inciters in Rwanda were prosecuted, those who excused or cheered on genocide in Gaza may soon face justice.

The Implications for Dual Nationals

IDF soldiers holding dual nationality and residing in ICC-member states like the UK, Canada, or Australia could face significant legal risks. Universal jurisdiction laws allow countries to arrest and prosecute individuals accused of war crimes or genocide if credible evidence is presented. These nations are legally obligated to act under international law.

The prosecution of war criminals from Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia set clear precedents. The ICC’s ongoing investigation could bring IDF veterans, once thought untouchable, into the spotlight.

For dual-national IDF veterans, the world is becoming a smaller and less forgiving place.

Shifting the Tide of Impunity

'Israel' has long benefited from the perception of legal and political immunity, bolstered by allies who shielded it from scrutiny. The ICC’s recent actions send an unambiguous message: no one is above the law—not IDF soldiers, nor the leaders and enablers who defend their actions.

The systematic dehumanisation of Palestinians, often framed as "self-defence," is now under intense global scrutiny. The certainty of impunity that once emboldened these actions is beginning to crumble.

The tide is turning—accountability is finally catching up.

Moving Beyond the Soldiers

The ICC and ICJ investigations may extend beyond soldiers to civilian enablers who normalised or excused these atrocities. Public figures, media personalities, and academics who justified genocidal actions could face charges of aiding and abetting or incitement to genocide.

Legal precedents show that those who propagate the conditions for genocide—through rhetoric, propaganda, or institutional support—are equally culpable. The justice system has previously reached beyond the battlefield to those who weaponised words to excuse and encourage mass violence.

Justice doesn’t stop at the battlefield—it reaches those who turned words into weapons.

A New Era of Accountability

The ICC investigation and the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant mark a turning point. From IDF soldiers who flaunted their crimes on social media to public figures who justified the systematic oppression of Palestinians, no one is untouchable. The principle established at Nuremberg—that following orders is not a defence—may finally bring justice to those who have long acted with impunity.

War crimes will be prosecuted, excuses will be dismantled, and the days of unchecked impunity are over.