Israel to challenge ICC warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant

November 28, 2024 TruthUSA

Netanyahu mentioned that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) had briefed him on the actions he is pushing in the U.S. Congress against the ICC.

Israel has informed the International Criminal Court (ICC) that they will appeal the recent arrest warrants issued for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. These warrants were issued last week by the ICC.

The ICC, based in The Hague, issued these warrants on Nov. 21 for Netanyahu, Gallant, and Hamas military leader Ibrahim Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif. They are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity dating back to the conflict that began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants killed 1,200 Israelis.

On Nov. 27, Netanyahu announced, “Israel has submitted a notice to the International Criminal Court stating our intention to appeal the court’s decision and requesting a delay in the execution of the arrest warrants.”

Netanyahu also mentioned that Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) had informed him about the actions he is advocating for in the U.S. Congress against the International Criminal Court and countries cooperating with it.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that he would have to comply with the ICC’s request to arrest Netanyahu if he entered the UK. Unlike Israel and the U.S., Britain is a signatory to the ICC.

The ICC’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan is a British lawyer.

Despite this, Lammy affirmed in front of the parliament’s foreign affairs select committee that he would continue to engage with Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials to work on resolving the Gaza conflict and providing aid to Palestinian civilians.

Lammy stated, “It is important for us in government to address these matters. I cannot see a scenario where I would not engage with the elected officials of the Israeli government.”

The foreign secretary emphasized his “obligation” to forward the warrant request to a British court, mentioning, “I do not have any discretion in this matter. I will submit the request to the courts, who will then make their decision.”

A potential visit by Netanyahu to London or another European ICC member country could potentially cause a diplomatic incident akin to the Pinochet case.

In 1998, former Chilean leader Gen. Augusto Pinochet was detained in the UK based on a warrant issued by a Spanish magistrate investigating human rights abuses in the 1970s.

Pinochet, who had assisted Britain during the Falklands War in 1982, was under house arrest for 18 months before being allowed to return home.

France Shows Support for Netanyahu

France announced on Wednesday that they would continue collaborating with Netanyahu despite the ICC warrant.

In a statement issued on Nov. 22, the French foreign ministry stated they would respect international obligations but noted that the Rome Statute (which established the ICC) prohibits acting contrary to obligations related to the immunities of states not part of the ICC.

“Such immunities apply to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other relevant ministers and must be considered if the ICC requests their arrest and surrender,” the statement pointed out.

On Wednesday, the ICC’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan requested an arrest warrant for Myanmar’s military leader Gen. Min Aung Hlaing for crimes against the Rohingya Muslim minority in 2016 and 2017.

In a video statement, Khan stated, “After reviewing the evidence, my office has reasonable grounds to believe that Min Aung Hlaing is responsible for crimes against humanity committed against the Rohingya in Myanmar and parts of Bangladesh in 2017.”

Gen. Min Aung Hlaing seized power from Myanmar’s elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a 2021 coup, leading to mass killings and displacements of nearly a million Rohingya into Bangladesh.

The Chinese foreign ministry, a close ally of the Myanmar military regime, urged the ICC to act judiciously and fairly while fulfilling its duties.

China is not a signatory to the ICC.

Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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