This is a follow-up to our petition holding Silicon Valley Big Tech companies and their executives accountable for complicity in enabling the genocide in Gaza. My goal is to answer why we are petitioning the Spanish Government and Judiciary—rather than other venues like the International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), or the European Union.
Let’s discuss the ICJ. Although fourteen judges from various nations have brought charges against Netanyahu and Gallant, the process has been painfully slow. In nearly two years, little has advanced. It is difficult to move anything forward at the ICJ amid continued sanctions and influence peddling by Western powers, especially the United States. ICJ staff and judges face both national and international pressure to overlook an ongoing genocide and the slaughter of Palestinians.
The situation at the International Criminal Court, with its nine judges, is much worse. The United States has sanctioned members of the Court and barred judges from investigating U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan and elsewhere. ICC judges may have the best intentions, but again, due to national pressures and pressure from the U.S. government and Western powers, their hands are tied and overwhelmed dealing with Western power crimes.
As for the European Union and its twenty-seven members, they are good at imposing fines of a few billion dollars on Silicon Valley Big Tech companies. But what is the impact of a few billion dollars on companies with market caps in the trillions? European members can’t agree with a united voice on where to purchase their energy. They can’t even agree on who should be allowed to participate in Eurovision. They allow Israel to participate, but the State of Palestine—recognized by the majority of United Nations General Assembly members and closer to Europe via Gaza—is not allowed.
Now, regarding the Spanish government and its judiciary: the United States and Spain have had an extradition treaty in force since 1970, with a supplemental treaty added in 1988. Sadly, the extradition of tech executives to Spain is highly unlikely. The U.S. government would impose its financial muscle and political influence, and the final decision would rest with the United States Department of State and the Secretary of State. No one is holding their breath that the U.S. will extradite its criminal billionaires while a convicted criminal with 34 felonies is in office—or even during a democratic administration like the previous one under “Genocide Joe.”
So if the above is true, why am I asking the Spanish Government and judiciary to investigate and prosecute these criminals.
The reason is simple. Spain has a history of aggressive use of universal jurisdiction. If charges are brought in Spain and an arrest warrant is issued, as an Interpol member a “Red Notice” can be issued. Furthermore, as a key EU member, a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) can be issued. And as a result of criminal prosecution, the assets of these corporations and executives in Europe can be frozen. The Spanish Government, acting on behalf of the victims of this genocide, could take over the assets and profits these companies and individuals made from the blood money of genocide.
What would be the benefit of such prosecution? First, it puts control in the hands of one nation and one justice system—not multiple judges and prosecutors across other venues. Second, when these companies are found guilty, it would help break the tech monopoly; three vendors—Amazon, Google, and Microsoft—control the entire cloud computing industry. Finally, these genocidal tech executives would be effectively “grounded.” They could not fly private planes or sail yachts to any country that is part of Interpol. They would be afraid to travel, considering the potential for arrest and criminal prosecution even in U.S.-aligned countries. They would only be able to sail and fly from bunkers in Hawaii to Silicon Valley and visit the city of Las Vegas. Las Vegas has everything they need: it has a Paris Hotel with an Eiffel Tower, a fountain of Bellagio, and even a replica of Venice—a hotel called The Venetian. A true imitation of the cultural paradise they deserve.
Imagine a world where we cut the grip of corporations lobbying for and committing never-ending genocides. A world where Big Tech firms lose monopolistic power. A world where Silicon Valley billionaires and genocidal executives are effectively “grounded” and can no longer pollute our environment and our world with their private planes and yachts.
That is what I imagine, and I am certain justice will prevail. The arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice and truth.