Excited clash a A clean sweep (La7) among journalists Paolo Mieli and Michele Santorocandidate for the European elections as leader of Peace Earth Dignity in the Southern constituency, on the Israeli massacres a Gaza. Casus belli is Mieli’s editorial on Corriere della Serawhere he attacks the chief prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan who requested an international arrest warrant for the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and for the 3 leaders of Hamas (“Shocking decision – writes Mieli – first of all because at the moment there is no Palestinian state over which Khan can exercise jurisdiction”).
The editorialist, who defines “hypocritical” the equality between the three leaders of Hamas and the Israeli prime minister, explains that Netanyahu should declare himself willing “to undergo the process threatened by the Court of The Hague, including arrest, as he did Andreotti with the mafia trial”. And he adds: “This way Netanyahu will be able to have arguments to bring forward in his own defence. He was indicted without mentioning October 7, but here At stake is the existence of the State of Israel“.
Santoro observes: “First of all it should be said that to realize your dream of Netanyahu handing himself over to the Court in The Hague, it would be necessary before Israel and the USA recognized this Courtbecause not only do they not recognize it, but even in the event that action could be taken against the USAthe latter would even reserve the right to bomb the Court of The Hague. So, think about how utopian this dream of yours is.”
The journalist then observes: “You criticize the indictment of the Court of The Hague because you say that the leaders of Hamas are not the representatives of a State, because this State does not exist and they are terrorists. Good – continue – if they are terrorists, why is Netanyahu fighting in Gaza as if he were fighting an army? It is bombing and torturing an entire population, causing 35 thousand deaths. If Netanyahu commits war crimes, he must be tried for war crimes that he commits.”
“To free Mosul, the capital of ISIS in Iraq – Mieli replies – there were in the same period of time 40 thousand dead, 5 thousand more than the Palestinians. There was a situation very similar to this there. When you fight with a terrorist state, cHow do you fight against those who killed 1200 people and to get back those 240 kidnapped people? Explain to me, why I’m interested in understanding what technique you would adopt“.
“That is, I should explain to Israel what the technique is for fighting terrorism? – asks Santoro – But they are the largest secret service in the world. They have absolutely extraordinary capabilities in being able to conduct a battle of this type.”
“Look, I’m clear about this – Mieli objects – They’re losing the war”.
“They wanted to start a war – replies Santoro – They wanted to transform what was supposed to be the hunt for terrorists into a carpet bombing of the civilian population“.
“And how would you have gone about hunting terrorists? – urges Mieli – Can you explain it to me?”.
“They killed 13 thousand children, they mutilated many thousands,” continues Santoro.
“Yes, yes, whatever,” comments Mieli.
“What would I have done? – underlines Santoro – Certainly not what they did, I would have really hunted down the terrorists”.
“And how?”, Mieli repeats.
“But if you really lack this basic information, look at that series they made…” replies Santoro who is interrupted by Mieli with the same question (“But which series? Tell me how”).
And Santoro replies: “In that series they explain how they track down terrorists and how they capture them.”
The host puts an end to the back and forth Corrado Formigli who, turning to Mieli, observes: “Let’s say that There is a long history of targeted killings by Israel, technically eliminating leader after leader“.
“But they are the best in the world at this, they have no rivals,” Santoro comments.
