Press TV has conducted an interview with Joe Catron, with the International Solidarity Movement from New York, to ask for his insight on a petition signed by the Britons to call for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to London.
The following is a rough transcription of the interview.
Press TV: What are the repercussions of such a petition for Israel?
Catron: I think the main effect of it is showing the depth of the world’s, and particularly the United Kingdom’s, disgust with Netanyahu and with his government’s crimes. This petition, which is now at over 99,700 signatures, sends a very clear message to Netanyahu that he’s not welcome in the United Kingdom, that hundreds of thousands there would like to see him in jail and that would also pressure the British government in terms of its future relations with the Tel Aviv regime.
Press TV: And so, how much is this petition indicative of the fact that the people of the world, not only Britain, are becoming more aware and conscious of Israeli atrocities against Palestinians?
Catron: I think it’s highly indicative of a broader trend, yes, we also see something related, I think, in the United States, which is in the process now of finalizing the Iran nuclear agreement against vehement objections of both Benjamin Netanyahu and his domestic lobby here. It’s the first time, certainly in my life time, that a US administration has been willing to go face to face with an Israeli prime minister like this. And I think that’s in large part because of growing opposition, which Israel faces here in the UK and across the world.
Press TV: Will Israeli officials ever be held accountable for their crimes?
Catron: That’s a very difficult question to answer. I think it depends on how much this growing sentiment of opposition to those crimes continues to grow and how well the people, the populations, who are in solidarity with Palestinians, are able to pressure their own governments. Certainly, we see the beginning of this in both the UK and the US. Where we’ll go from here depends entirely on steps that are taken by supporters of Palestine in these countries.