Possible ICC arrest warrants put Israeli ocials on defence
Israel does not accept the ICC’s jurisdiction, but warrants will put oicials at risk of arrest in other countries.
Israeli ocials appeared increasingly concerned that the International Criminal Court (ICC) may issue arrest warrants against the country’s leaders, as international pressure mounts over the war in Gaza. Israel is planning an invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah — though its closest ally, the U.S., and others have repeatedly warned against it, saying an oªensive would spell catastrophe for the more than a million Palestinians sheltering there. Meanwhile, Israeli ocials have referred in recent days to an ICC probe launched three years ago into possible war crimes committed by Israel and Palestinian militants going back to the 2014 Israel-Hamas war. The probe is also looking at Israel’s construction of settlements in occupied territory the Palestinians want for a future state.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that it had informed Israeli missions of “rumours” that warrants might be issued against senior political and military ocials. Foreign Minister Israel Katz said any such warrants would “provide a morale boost” to Hamas and other militant groups.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that Israel “will never accept any attempt by the ICC to undermine its inherent right of selfdefence.”
It was not clear what sparked the Israeli concerns. A series of Israeli announcements in recent days about allowing more humanitarian aid into Gaza appears to be aimed in part at heading oª possible ICC action.
Neither Israel nor the United States accept the ICC’s jurisdiction, but any warrants could put Israeli ocials at risk of arrest in other countries.