Israel: Israel is worried that the International Criminal Court may issue arrest warrants against senior ministers and officials, including PM Benjamin Netanyahu, for alleged violations of international law in Gaza.
The ICC is investigating Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel and Israel's devastating military assault on Hamas-ruled Gaza. Let us tell you that ICC can charge individuals with war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
Netanyahu asked for help from Britain and Germany
The TV report said Netanyahu raised the issue in his meetings this week with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and asked for their help.
Foreign Minister alerted embassies
In response to Israeli media reports about the ICC warrant, Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Sunday warned Israeli embassies to increase their security to avoid a “wave of serious anti-Semitism.” He said, 'We hope that the court (ICC) will refrain from issuing arrest warrants against senior Israeli leaders and security officials. We will not bow our heads or waver and will continue to fight.
Netanyahu said this
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that any ICC decision would have no impact on Israel's actions, although it would set a dangerous precedent.
Warrant may be issued against Hamas leaders also
According to Reuters, Israeli media reported that while Israeli officials are concerned about the ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu and other top officials, they said that the ICC is also considering arrest warrants for Hamas leaders.
Let us tell you that Israel is not a member of ISIS and does not recognize its jurisdiction. However, the Palestinian territories were included with member state status in 2015.
In October, ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan said that the court has jurisdiction over any potential war crimes committed by Hamas fighters in Israel and Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.
American reaction
According to Reuters, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Monday, 'The ICC is an independent organization and their efforts are being conducted without any contact or interference from the US.'
A White House spokesperson said later Monday, “The ICC has no jurisdiction in this situation, and we do not support its investigation.”
Let us tell you that Israel's close ally America is also not a member of the court.
What if a warrant is issued?
According to Reuters, Matthew Gillett, a lecturer in international law at the University of Essex in England, said that after the arrest warrant is issued, the person will not be able to travel to the more than 120 countries that are members of the ICC, there is a possibility of his arrest. ICC members include most of the European countries, Japan and Australia.
Gillett said that if arrest warrants are issued against Israeli officials, some allied countries could take action such as reducing arms transfers or diplomatic visits, increasing Israel's international isolation. Gillett said, 'This will make it more difficult for Western liberal democracies to engage with Israel.'
