|
In response to
"So explain to me how what Bibi did in Lebanon with the cells and walkies is *not* a war crime? -- nm"
by
Jovian
|
Are we relying on the ICRC concept of a "war crime"? Or the ICC definition? Or some other definition?
-- (edited)
|
That's the first question I would want to answer. What is the body of criminal law that we're dealing with?
Then I'd launch into the analysis and assessment.
1. Who are we accusing of committing war crimes? I suspect that any number of people in the Israeli government planned, organized, and carried out these remote attacks, but I (personally) try not to rely on mere suspicion when making such an accusation. I would prefer to reach a level of conviction where I can genuinely believe that it was likely -- or even more likely than not -- that a person committed the crime to really assess their culpability.
2. What did they do? Who were they targeting? Did they simply direct thousands of bomb-laden electronic devices into the consumer supply chain? Did they selectively modify orders for known Hezbollah leaders? Or companies and organizations who are known affiliates of Hezbollah?
Essentially, I want to know what efforts -- if any -- those people (the accused) took to ensure their acts of war were directed primarily at the enemy and what they did to minimize civilian casualties.
3. What was the distribution of casualties among Hezbollah members versus civilians? Did civilians account for 95% of the casualties? Half? Two-thirds? A third-? Only 5%?
That data and information would help assess the impacts apart from the intents of the people who carried out this bombing campaign.
4. How do these events compare to similar events from history that were -- or were not -- determined to be war crimes?
Those are just a few of the questions.
It's worth looking into, but I think most people have already leapt to their own conclusions, so I also question whether any discussion would provide any good -- or simply contribute to the heat death of the universe.
|
Responses:
|
