Netanyahu defiant as International Criminal Court ‘prepares arrest warrants’
The Australian / AP, Agencies | 30 April 2024
I am sure the USA will veto it somehow – but it would be a great step forward for actual warrants to be issued – the ICC actually doing what it was set up for – Mark
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reacted with defiance to reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue a warrant for his arrest for alleged crimes committed during the war in Gaza.
Reports from Jerusalem and New York suggest the ICC is preparing to issue warrants for several Israeli leaders, with the court said to be examining charges relating to a failure to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The warrants could be issues as early as this week. Officials also believe warrants could be issued for Hamas leaders for their roles in directing the October 7 attacks on Israel.
Mr Netanyahu, who was reported to have been leading a “non-stop push” to persuade the Biden administration to intervene, said the move “would set a dangerous precedent that threatens the soldiers and officials of all democracies fighting savage terrorism and wanton aggression”.
“Under my leadership, Israel will never accept any attempt by the ICC to undermine its inherent right of self-defence,” he said. “The threat to seize the soldiers and officials of the Middle East’s only democracy and the world’s only Jewish state is outrageous. We will not bow to it.”
Foreign Minister Isael Katz is believed to have warned Israeli embassies to prepare for a rise in anti-Semitic protests if the ICC acts.
Along with Mr Netanyahu, warrants are expected against Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Israeli Defence Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, the Jerusalem Post reported.
The ICC, which is based in The Hague, is the world’s only permanent international court with the power to prosecute war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.
Chief prosecutor Karim Khan began investigating claims of war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank last year after five countries called for an inquiry. The Times of Israel reported that a focus of the allegations would be that Israel “deliberately starved Palestinians in Gaza”.
Mr Katz responded by saying: “There is nothing more distorted than attempting to prevent Israel from defending itself against a murderous enemy openly calling for the destruction of the State of Israel.”
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