According to sources from the US and Israeli media, there is a collaborative effort between Israel and the United States to prevent the International Criminal Court (ICC) from issuing an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials. This potential arrest warrant has put pressure on Netanyahu, leading him to engage in ongoing discussions with relevant parties, including the administration of US President Joe Biden.
Experts warn that an ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu and other officials could severely damage Israel’s international reputation. Along with Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi are also reportedly at risk of being arrested by the ICC.
Despite Israel not being a member of the ICC or recognizing its jurisdiction, the court has initiated an investigation into allegations of war crimes committed by Israel during the 2014 campaign against Hamas in Gaza Strip. The probe includes accusations related to Israel’s actions in settlement programs in West Bank and Jerusalem as well as treatment of Palestinian protesters in Gaza Strip.
In a separate case, South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for allegedly committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza Strip. The ICJ ruled that Israel must fulfill its humanitarian obligations in Gaza Strip and prevent any acts that could be considered inciting genocide. However, it did not consider South Africa’s claim that genocide had been committed against Israel itself.
