Warrant for the Arrest of Ehud Olmert

October 22, 2009

Under the authority provided under the international law principle of Universal Jurisdiction, this warrant authorizes the arrest of Ehud Olmert for high crimes against the Palestinian people, especially in the Gaza Strip, and the people of Lebanon committed during his tenure as Prime Minister of Israel.

Whereas, crimes which are liable for prosecution under universal jurisdiction include genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, torture, forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and crimes against humanity; and 

Whereas, The International Independent Fact-Finding Mission authorized by the United Nations Human Rights Council (the Goldstone Report) found evidence that Israel is guilty of "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity" in its prosecution of “Operation Cast Lead;” and

Whereas, under Mr. Olmert’s personal direction, involvement, planning and knowledge, the crimes perpetrated during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip include, but are not limited to the following:

1.    Crimes against peace (Article VI (a) of the Nuremberg Principles):
Planning, preparing, initiating and waging a war of aggression on a civilian population in which:

§  1400 Palestinians were killed, the majority of which were civilians and non-combatants including over four hundred children,

§  5300 Palestinians were injured, and

§  the reckless and illegal use of white phosphorous caused untold suffering.

2.    War crimes (Article VI (b) of the Nuremberg Principles):
Plunder of public and private property, wanton destruction of cities, towns, and villages, and devastation not justified by military necessity, in which:

§  more than 400,000 Gazans were left without running water, and

§  4,000 homes were destroyed or badly damaged, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless, and

§  more than 1000 buildings were bombed, including schools and mosques.

3.    Crimes against humanity (Article VI (c) of the Nuremberg Principles):
Persecutions on political, racial or religious grounds, when such acts are done or such persecutions are carried on in execution of or in connection with any crime against peace or any war crime.

4.    Violations of the requirements of the US Arms Export Control Act of 1976 as documented by Congressman Dennis Kucinich in January, 2009. 

Whereas, six Norwegian lawyers have filed a lawsuit against Ehud Olmert and other Israeli officials over the Gaza war, citing “massive terrorist attacks” during the war which led to the killing of civilians; and

Whereas, Ehud Olmert, because he no longer has diplomatic immunity, can no longer travel to the UK, Norway, Spain, or Belgium, for fear of prosecution for war crimes via “universal jurisdiction”.

Ehud Olmert, as the Israeli Prime Minister during Operation Cast Lead, is charged with "war crimes" and possible "crimes against humanity” and is hereby authorized to be placed under arrest by and for citizens of the state of California, and for the international community in the name of justice.