Israel is actively pressuring the International Criminal Court to delay the issuance of arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza, according to Israeli media reports.
Sources indicate that Tel Aviv is leveraging diplomatic channels to persuade the Hague-based court to postpone or reconsider potential arrest warrants for the two officials. Haaretz reported on Wednesday that it is uncertain how effective these diplomatic efforts will be in influencing the judges’ final decision.
On May 20, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan announced that he had requested arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, citing charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes related to their actions in Gaza. This request has been met with strong condemnation and rejection from Israel. The government’s response to any potential arrest warrants remains uncertain.
Israeli officials are currently examining whether the ICC has the jurisdiction to adjudicate matters pertaining to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The request for arrest warrants is under review by a panel of ICC judges, who will deliberate on the issue after considering legal opinions submitted by various countries and international organizations. The length of this review process remains unclear.
Israel is not a member of the ICC, whereas Palestine has been a member since 2015. Established in 2002, the ICC operates as an independent international body with binding decisions, separate from the United Nations or other international institutions.
Despite Israel’s denial of the ICC’s jurisdiction, the court’s authority extends to the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, allowing it to prosecute Israeli officials for alleged crimes committed in these areas.
In a May 21 interview with CNN, Prosecutor Khan disclosed that he had received threats during his investigation into Israeli officials. This revelation highlights the contentious and high-stakes nature of the ICC’s proceedings.
Israeli officials, both current and former, have criticized Khan’s actions, arguing that the ICC’s jurisdiction is not applicable to Israel and accusing the court of anti-Semitism. Some have called for the dismantling of the ICC or for its allies to withdraw support and funding.
