The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in relation to the ongoing war in Gaza. The court’s Pre-Trial Chamber I unanimously agreed on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes, which were brought forward by ICC prosecutor Karim Khan. The warrants mark the first time the ICC has taken such an unprecedented step against leaders of a democratic nation.
If Netanyahu or Gallant travel to any of the 120 countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute, they could be arrested. The warrants have sparked international controversy, as Israel and the United States are not members of the ICC, and the court relies on the cooperation of member states to enforce its orders.
While European countries like France and the Netherlands have expressed their intent to respect the warrants, the Israeli government has strongly rejected the charges. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office labeled the decision as “antisemitic,” comparing it to the infamous Dreyfus affair, and denounced the charges as false and politically motivated. The Israeli government also attacked prosecutor Karim Khan, accusing him of issuing the warrants in an attempt to deflect from allegations of sexual harassment.
Khan, who has denied the misconduct allegations, has faced mounting pressure from the United States over his handling of the situation. US President Joe Biden and Senate leaders have both voiced strong support for Israel’s right to self-defense and criticized the ICC’s actions.
The ICC also issued a warrant for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, although some of the figures originally targeted, such as Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, are believed to have already been killed. Despite the ongoing war, the implications of these legal actions remain unclear, and it is uncertain how they will affect peace efforts in the region.
This unprecedented move adds to the complexity of the war, highlighting the rising legal and political challenges that Israel faces on the international stage.