The International Criminal Court (ICC) might issue arrest orders for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior government members over alleged ‘war crimes’ in Gaza.
As per Reuters, Israel’s Justice Ministry anticipates that warrants for Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Israeli military chief Herzi Halevi could be handed down as soon as this week. ICC warrants require all 124 member states, including the Palestinian Authority, to apprehend the individual in question
However, neither Israel nor the United States is a signatory to the Rome Statute, which serves as the legal basis for the ICC to issue global arrest warrants for ‘genocide’ violations. Israel’s defense asserts that the court’s jurisdiction is limited to trying nationals of member states or investigating crimes allegedly committed on the territory of its members. Israel has reportedly reached out to the United States, seeking assistance in persuading ICC member states to prevent such an action.
On Monday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) warned that any ICC warrants issued against Israeli leadership should set a dangerous precedent for the US.
“If unchallenged by the Biden administration, the ICC could create and assume unprecedented power to issue arrest warrants against American political leaders, American diplomats, and American military personnel,” Johnson said in a statement to the media.
