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On 21 November 2024, following aninvestigation ofwar crimes andcrimes against humanity, theInternational Criminal Court (ICC) issuedarrest warrants for two seniorIsraeli officials,Benjamin Netanyahu, theprime minister of Israel, andYoav Gallant, the formerMinister of Defense of Israel, alleging responsibility for the war crime ofstarvation as a method of warfare and the crimes against humanity ofmurder,persecution, and other inhumane acts during theGaza war.[1][2] The warrant against Netanyahu is the first against the leader of a Western-backed democratic country for war crimes.[3][4][5]
All125 ICC member states, including France and the United Kingdom, are required to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant if they enter the state's territory.[6] The ICC also issued an arrest warrant forHamas military commanderMohammed Deif, who was killed in anIsraeli airstrike on 13 July 2024 but whose death remained unconfirmed at the time.[a] By January 2025 Hamas confirmed Deif's death, and a few weeks later the ICC cancelled the arrest warrant against him.[9][10] Warrants may still be issued against additional Israeli senior IDF officers involved in the Gaza war[11][12]—an action recommended by aUnited Nations Commission of Inquiry, which also called for genocide charges to be added to the warrant after finding the Israeli government guilty of multiple violations of the1948 Genocide Convention.[13]
The ICC was established in 2002 to prosecutewar crimes,crimes against humanity,genocide, and thecrime of aggression when member states are unwilling or unable to do so. It can also prosecute crimes committed by nationals or on territory of any of its 124 member states. It currently is also investigating crimes committed inUkraine,Uganda, and others. The Palestinian territories were admitted as a member state in 2015, allowing for the investigation even though Israel is not a member and does not recognize its jurisdiction.[14]
All of the 124 member states of the ICC are obliged by their agreements to the courts founding statute to arrest and hand over any individual with an active ICC arrest warrant, if they are identified in their territory. The ICC does not have a way of directly implementing an arrest, with no authority over any police force. The ICC can sanction a non-cooperative member state.[15]
On 20 December 2019, ICC prosecutorFatou Bensouda announced an investigation intowar crimes allegedly committed inPalestine by members of theIsrael Defense Forces orHamas and other Palestinian armed groups since 13 June 2014.[16][17] Since the investigation was opened in 2015, Israel used its intelligence agencies to surveil, pressure, and threaten senior ICC staff.[18]
On 12 October 2023, ICC chief prosecutorKarim Khan stated that both war crimes committed by Palestinians on Israeli territory and by Israelis on Palestinian territory during theGaza war would be within the jurisdiction of the ICC's Palestine investigation.[19] On 29 December 2023,South Africa fileda case against Israel at theInternational Court of Justice, alleging that Israel's conduct amounted to genocide.[20]
In late April 2024, ICC staff interviewed Palestinian hospital staff from the Gaza Strip about possible war crimes.[21][22]
On 20 May 2024, Khan announced that he would file applications for arrest warrants against Hamas leadersYahya Sinwar,Mohammed Deif andIsmail Haniyeh and Israeli leaders Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu and Minister of DefenseYoav Gallant.[23][24][25] The request for a warrant against Haniyeh was withdrawn followinghis assassination on 31 July 2024, and the request for a warrant against Sinwar was withdrawn followinghis killing on 16 October 2024.[26][27] The prosecutor stated that he was trying to confirm the allegedkilling of Deif on 13 July 2024, in which case the warrant request would be withdrawn.[28] The warrant for Deif was cancelled in February 2025, a few weeks after Hamas confirmed his death.[9][10]
On 21 November 2024, the ICC's Preliminary Chamber I's JudgesNicolas Guillou (Presiding, France),Reine Alapini-Gansou (Benin) andBeti Hohler (Slovenia)[29] issued arrest warrants under request from chief prosecutor Khan in regards to "the activities of Israeli government bodies and the armed forces against the civilian population in Palestine, more specifically civilians in Gaza"[30][31] for Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant and Mohammed Deif.[1]
Pre-Trial Chamber I stated that it found reasonable grounds that from " at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024" Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility "as co-perpetrators for committing the acts jointly with others: the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts" and "as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population."[30] and that Deif bears direct and command responsibility "for the crimes against humanity of murder, extermination, torture, and rape and other form of sexual violence; as well as the war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture, taking hostages, outrages upon personal dignity, and rape and other form of sexual violence". It found reasonable grounds that "the crimes against humanity were part of a widespread and systematic attack directed by Hamas and other armed groups against the civilian population of Israel".[27]
The Guardian reported on 28 April 2025 that Khan was preparing to seek arrest warrants for additional Israeli suspects, citing anonymous court officials familiar with the investigation. The report also claimed that ICC judges had issued a gag order forbidding Khan from publicly revealing that he had requested the warrants.[32] The gag order was allegedly requested by members of Khan's staff who felt that his public announcements of the prior warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant "deviated from standard practice and put pressure on judges reviewing the warrant requests".[33]
Prior to taking indefinite leave from the prosecutor's office in May 2025, Khan was reportedly preparing draft arrest warrants forItamar Ben-Gvir andBezalel Smotrich for their involvement in building illegal settlements.[34][35] According to sources within the ICC, Khan had completed the warrant applications before taking his leave, but his deputies had not yet submitted them to the court.[36]
One of the key allegations was the "use of starvation as a weapon of war".[37][38][39][40][41] The use of starvation as weapon of war is banned by theUnited Nations.[42] Since then it has been used in both Gaza and Sudan.[43] In mid 2023 German government officials also accused Russia of using hunger as a weapon.[44][45] Yoav Gallant made a public speech in early October 2023, shortly after theHamas attacks on Israel that sparked the war, saying, "there will be no more electricity, no more food, no more fuel ... We are fighting against human animals and will behave accordingly."[46][47][48] A few weeks before that the arrest warrants were issued, there were also reports of looting occurring in areas controlled by the IDF.[49][50]
In December 2024 and January 2025, the possibility of Netanyahu visiting Poland,party to the Rome Statute, on 27 January, the 80th anniversary of theliberation of Auschwitz concentration camp was discussed by Polish politicians. On 5 December 2024,Andrzej Szejna, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated at aSejm sitting of the foreign affairs committee that Poland was obliged to cooperate with the ICC. He stated that heads of countries had no immunity in the ICC context. On 9 January 2025, Polish presidentAndrzej Duda requested thegovernment led by Donald Tusk to protect Netanyahu from arrest were he to choose to attend the anniversary commemorations.[51] On the same day, the government published a resolution[52] stating that it would "guarantee the free and secure participation to the ceremony to the highest representatives of Israel" (Polish:zapewni wolny i bezpieczny dostęp i udział w tych obchodach najwyższym przedstawicielom Państwa Izrael).OKO.press commented that the government resolution did not name Netanyahu explicitly.[51] Prime MinisterDonald Tusk stated his interpretation of the resolution to the media, according to which any Israeli representative who made the visit, whether it were "the prime minister" or another leader, would not be detained.[53]
An ICC spokesperson responded by stating that carrying out ICC decisions is obligatory to states parties towards both the ICC and to other states parties. The spokesperson stated that states with concerns about their obligations could consult with the ICC, but were not permitted to unilaterally determine the validity of the ICC's legal decisions.[54] Legal scholarsKarolina Wierczyńska,Piotr Hofmański andOmer Bartov stated that Netanyahu would have to be arrested if he visited Poland. Member of theSejmTomasz Trela stated that Netanyahu would have to be "instantly" arrested the moment he crossed the Polish border.[51] Under Polish law, theRome Statute is an international treaty obligation with legal priority above that of a Cabinet resolution.[55] The procedure for an ICC fugitive is defined in Chapter 66e of thePolish [pl]criminal procedure law associated with thePolish Penal Code. According to legal scholar Hanna Kuczyńska, if an ICC fugitive arrived in Poland at theKraków international airport, then theMinister of Justice would have to request a prosecutor to order that the person be detained by the police and brought to theKrakówdistrict court, which would decide on the fugitive's transfer to The Hague. The district court's decision would be strongly constrained by the Rome Statute.[55]
TheInternational Centre of Justice for Palestinians sent letters to Polish authorities stating that it would "take immediate and robust legal action in Polish courts" if Polish legal obligations under the Rome Statute were not followed. It stated its view that "any attempt by the executive to pre-empt or obstruct judicial processes [would] represen[t] a serious breach of the rule of [Polish] law".[56]
Netanyahu arrived in Hungary on 3 April 2025. Hungarian Prime MinisterViktor Orbán had earlier invited Netanyahu to Hungary, shortly after the warrant was issued, stating the warrant would have "no effect" in Hungary.[57] Prior to the visit,Amnesty International stated that Hungarian authorities would be obliged to arrest Netanyahu and deliver him to the ICC if he carried out his visit.[58] TheHind Rajab Foundation (HRF) stated that it would call forinjunctions to prevent Netanyahu flying through the airspace of Europeanstates parties to the Rome Statute and that it was coordinating with legal teams for Netanyahu to launch arrest procedures in case Netanyahu landed or passed through those states. HRF stated that it would request theChief Prosecutor of Hungary to launch arrest procedures against Netanyahu according toHungarian criminal law procedures that oblige Hungarian authorities to arrest ICC fugitives and transfer them to ICC custody.[59]
During Netanyahu's visit, Orbán announced that Hungary would withdraw from the ICC. Per theRome Statute, Hungary would need to formally notify the UN Secretary General. The withdrawal would become effective withdraw a year later. Hungary's obligation to arrest Netanyahu was unaffected by Orbán's announcement.[57]
On 3 April, theICJP submitted a formal complaint to theHungarian Minister of Justice stating that the Hungarian authorities were obliged to arrest Netanyahu in line with Hungarian obligations as a state party to the Rome Statute, under Article 86 of the Statute requiring it to cooperate with the ICC.[60]
While en route to the2025 United Nations General Assembly, theWing of Zion plane used by Netanyahu flew a non-standard route to reachJohn F. Kennedy International Airport inNew York City. The flight stayed out ofFrench andSpanishairspace, likely to avoid jurisdictions which are signatories to the International Criminal Court. France has stated that he may have immunity as Israel is not a signatory.[61]
International law professor Eliav Lieblich ofTel-Aviv University characterised the decision as "the most dramatic legal development in Israel's history", referring to his view that all 124States Parties to the Rome Statute, including "most of Israel's closest allies", were legally obliged to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant if they are present in their territories.[62] International law professorsMatthias Goldmann andKai Ambos said toDer Tagesspiegel that Germany was legally obliged to enforce the arrest warrants.[63]
US defense lawyer and professorAlan Dershowitz stated that the rule of law had been "disgraced" by the ICC's decision. He condemned the "false charges" and announced his intention to assemble a team of prominent lawyers to defend Israeli leaders in The Hague.[64] Canadian human rights advocate and former justice ministerIrwin Cotler criticized ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan for his approach toward Israeli leaders, asserting that Khan violated principles of cooperation andcomplementarity by issuing arrest warrants for them while being lenient toward Venezuelan leaderNicolás Maduro.[65]
An article in the Journal of International Peacekeeping criticized the ICC for not including the crime against humanity offorced displacement among the charges against Israeli leaders.[66]
In 2024, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan faced allegations of sexual misconduct,[67] which he denied, calling them part of a smear campaign amid the Court’s investigations into Israel.[68][69] In November, the ICC opened an external probe,[70] and Khan temporarily stepped aside in May 2025.[71]
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, criticized countries that allowed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to fly through their airspace to the United States, saying they may have violated their obligations under international law.[72]
| Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) tweeted: |
The antisemitic decision of the International Criminal Court is a modern Dreyfus trial – and will end the same way.
Israel utterly rejects the false and absurd charges of the International Criminal Court, a biased and discriminatory political body.
21 November 2024[73]
Hamas: Hamas political bureau memberBasem Naim welcomed the ICC's decision to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant as an "important step towards justice" and called on the ICC to expand its scope to other Israeli officials.[8] Hamas did not mention the warrant for Mohammed Deif.[8][74]
Israel: The Israeli prime minister's office called the ICC arrest warrants against Netanyahu "antisemitic" and compared it to theDreyfus affair.[75]
Palestinian Authority: The Palestinian Authority praised the ICC's decision and said that it "restores hope and confidence in international law and its institutions, and in the importance of justice, accountability and the prosecution of war criminals".[76]Following Israeli accusations about the neutrality of Judge Beti Hohler, the ICC responded that Hohler had no prior involvement in investigations related to Palestine while at the Office of the Prosecutor. Hohler added that she had "not accessed any documents, evidence, or secret files related to the matter."[77]
European Union: Foreign Policy chiefJosep Borrell called on all EU member states to respect and implement the ICC's decision, arguing that the ICC's decision was not political.[78]
Algeria: The Foreign Ministry issued a statement in regards to the Israelis that read "this action, long advocated by Algeria through PresidentAbdelmadjid Tebboune, marks a significant step toward ending decades of impunity."[79]
Argentina: PresidentJavier Milei said that Argentina "declares its deep disagreement" with the ICC's decision and that the arrest warrant "ignores Israel's legitimate right to self-defense".[78]
Australia:Foreign MinisterPenny Wong stated in anX post that the Australian government "respects the independence of the ICC and its important role in upholding international law".[80] TheLeader of the Opposition,Peter Dutton, demanded that Australia resist the ICC's arrest warrant,[81] threatening to cut ties with the international court whilst calling for "pressure on the ICC to make sure that this antisemitic stance that they’ve taken does not advance."[82]
Austria: Foreign MinisterAlexander Schallenberg called the ICC arrest warrant "incomprehensible and ludicrous". However, Schallenberg's office also recognized that Austria, as a party of theRome Statute, is obliged to implement ICC arrest warrants.[78]
Bangladesh: In a statement released in conjunction with a session of the Assembly of States Parties to theRome Statute in December 2024, the Embassy of Bangladesh to the Netherlands wrote that "Bangladesh welcomes the issuance of arrest warrants" against Netanyahu and Gallant.[83]
Belgium: The Foreign Ministry said it "fully supports" international law and "will comply with" the warrant.[84] In April 2025, Prime MinisterBart de Wever however stated that the country would be unlikely to arrest Netanyahu if he were on their territory, referring to "realpolitik." The statement prompted criticism from several opposition politicians and a human rights group.[85] Three of the parties in the De Wever government reacted negatively to this statement,[86] and foreign ministerMaxime Prévot quickly reassured the ICC that the warrant would be upheld.[87] Eventually, the governing parties came to a resolution in May to uphold the warrant.[88]
Belize: On 31 January 2025 Belize was among the founding countries of theHague Group, a coalition of nine countries formed in defense of international law in relation to Israel and Palestine. Specifically, the countries pledged to "fulfill their obligations under the Rome Statute with respect to the warrants issued on 21 November 2024" against Gallant and Netanyahu, as well as to prevent arms sales to Israel.[89]
Bolivia: Foreign MinisterCelinda Sosa stated that Bolivia welcomes the decision, which she described as "further compelling evidence of the genocide against the Palestinian people".[90] On 31 January 2025 Bolivia was among the founding countries of theHague Group, a coalition of nine countries formed in defense of international law in relation to Israel and Palestine. Specifically, the countries pledged to "fulfill their obligations under the Rome Statute with respect to the warrants issued on 21 November 2024" against Gallant and Netanyahu, as well as to prevent arms sales to Israel.[89]
Bulgaria: The Foreign Ministry, while giving its support to the "independence, integrity and objectivity" of the ICC, argued that the arrest warrants fail to distinguish between Israel and Hamas.[91]
Canada: Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau said that Canada would "abide by international law".[78] TheLeader of the OppositionPierre Poilievre criticized Trudeau for pledging to abide by the ICC's rulings, calling Trudeau's stance "woke" and dismissive of international legal obligations. Poilievre further rejected the legitimacy of the ICC's charges, arguing that democratic election status should shield Netanyahu – an arguably specious stance given the nature of the charges.[92] In public remarks, he strongly condemned Trudeau’s position: "He’s interested in arresting the leader of a democratically-elected government … We need to fire him and get back to a common-sense Conservative government that will stand with all our allies against terrorism and tyrants."[93]NDP LeaderJagmeet Singh strongly backed ICC proceedings. He asserted that Canada, as a signatory, has both a legal and moral duty to comply fully with the court, including execution of warrants if issued.[94] In October 2025Mark Carney, Trudeau's successor as Prime Minister, reiterated in an interview that Canada was still prepared to enforce the ICC warrant and arrest Netanyahu if he were to enter the country.[95]
Chile: In a statement, the Foreign Ministry wrote that it supports the work of the ICC and hopes that all states would "cooperate with its investigation and decisions", while calling on all parties in the conflict to "put an end to the grave violations of international humanitarian law and human rights".[96]
Colombia: PresidentGustavo Petro wrote that the ruling was "logical" and "must be complied with", calling Netanyahu "genocidal".[97] He also stated that if U.S. PresidentJoe Biden ignores the order, it would "lead the world into barbarism", and further called on Western European leaders to comply with the warrant.[98] On 31 January 2025 Colombia was among the founding countries of theHague Group, a coalition of nine countries formed in defense of international law in relation to Israel and Palestine. Specifically, the countries pledged to "fulfill their obligations under the Rome Statute with respect to the warrants issued on 21 November 2024" against Gallant and Netanyahu, as well as to prevent arms sales to Israel.[89]
Cuba: On 31 January 2025 Cuba was among the founding countries of theHague Group, a coalition of nine countries formed in defense of international law in relation to Israel and Palestine. Specifically, the countries pledged to "fulfill their obligations under the Rome Statute with respect to the warrants issued on 21 November 2024" against Gallant and Netanyahu, as well as to prevent arms sales to Israel.[89]
Czech Republic: Prime MinisterPetr Fiala called the order "unfortunate" and said it "undermines the authority" of the ICC in other cases. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Daniel Drake stated that the country "observes and will observe" its international legal obligations, and that Czech legal authorities will decide on the implementation of the arrest warrants.[99]
Denmark: Foreign MinisterLars Løkke Rasmussen told media that Denmark is "a firm supporter" of the ICC and its independence, and that the country "naturally" would comply with its obligations under international law.[100]
Djibouti: In a speech before the Assembly of States Parties to theRome Statute on 4 December 2024, Djibouti's ambassador to Belgium Aden Mohamed Dileita said his country "fully welcomes" the decision of the ICC. Dileita added that the country "observes with concern the unease" caused among several of the state parties by the warrants, and stressed that "there can be no double standards in justice."[101]
Egypt: Foreign MinisterBadr Abdelatty emphasized the necessity of respecting decisions made by international bodies, including the ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu and Gallant.[102]
Estonia: Foreign MinisterMargus Tsahkna acknowledged the arrest warrants and Estonia's obligations as a state party to the ICC, but also voiced scepticism that the order would contribute to "a lasting peace in the Middle East."[103]
Finland: Foreign MinisterElina Valtonen noted that Finland, as a states party to the ICC, has "an obligation to cooperate with the court based on the Rome Statute. This also includes the obligation to arrest the subjects of arrest warrants if they travel to contracting states."[104]
France: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine said that France would act "in line with the ICC's statuses", but declined to say whether Netanyahu would be arrested if he entered France, stating that it's "legally complex".[78] Foreign MinisterJean-Noël Barrot later appeared to confirm that the wanted subjects would be arrested if they enter French soil, responding to a direct question that "France will always apply international law."[105] On 27 November, the French Foreign Ministry released a statement saying that Israeli leaders may be protected by immunity rules that apply to states not party to the ICC.[106][107]
Germany: A government spokesperson stated that Germany will "carefully examine" the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, but that further steps would not be taken until a visit by any of the two to the country. The spokesperson further said that Germany is one of the "biggest supporters" of the ICC, but also recalledthe close relationship between Germany and Israel.[78]Friedrich Merz, Germany's Chancellor since May 2025, stated afterthe country's elections in February of the same year that he would find "ways and means" for Netanyahu to be able to visit Germany without risking arrest.[108] In May, Merz stated that he "no longer understands" Israel's policy in Gaza, however he did not formally retract the invitation.[109]
Greece: Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis expressed disapproval with the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, saying that the ICC's decision "will solve no problem."[110] When asked if Greece would still follow its obligations as per the Rome Statute and implement the warrants if the subjects should enter the country, Marinakis refrained from giving a direct answer.[111]
Honduras: On 31 January 2025 Honduras was among the founding countries of theHague Group, a coalition of nine countries formed in defense of international law in relation to Israel and Palestine. Specifically, the countries pledged to "fulfill their obligations under the Rome Statute with respect to the warrants issued on 21 November 2024" against Gallant and Netanyahu, as well as to prevent arms sales to Israel.[89]
Hungary: Prime MinisterViktor Orbán said he would not carry out the warrants,[112] calling them "brazen and cynical" and accusing the ICC's order of being issued "for political purposes". He further invited Netanyahu to visit Hungary and defy the arrest warrant. Foreign MinisterPéter Szijjártó condemned the ICC's decision as "shameful and absurd".[78] In April 2025, Netanyahu made a state visit to Hungary, where he was not arrested; during the visit, Prime Minister Orbán announced his intention to withdraw Hungary from the ICC over the arrest warrants. The actions sparked international criticism; an ICC spokesperson emphasized that Hungary remained under a duty to cooperate with the court at the time of the visit,[57] and the ICC later opened an inquiry into Hungary for its failure to arrest Netanyahu.[113]
Iceland: Foreign MinisterÞórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir said that Iceland respects the ICC's decision.[114]
Indonesia: The Foreign Ministry supported the arrest warrant as an important step to achieve "justice for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Palestine", further emphasizing that the warrants "must be carried out" in accordance with international law.[115]
Iran:Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps GeneralHossein Salami said: "This means the end and political death of the Zionist regime, a regime that today lives in absolute political isolation in the world and its officials can no longer travel to other countries."[116] Supreme leader AyatollahAli Khamenei later stated his opinion that a war crimes case against Netanyahu and Gallant was insufficient, and that "the death sentence of these criminal leaders should be issued."[117]
Iraq: Government spokesperson Basim al-Awadi expressed support for the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, calling the ICC's decision "courageous and just".[118]
Ireland:TaoiseachSimon Harris called the arrest warrants "an extremely significant step", while affirming Ireland's respect for the ICC and stating that anyone in a position to assist it in its work must do so "with urgency."[78]
Italy: Foreign MinisterAntonio Tajani said that Italy supports the ICC, and that it would consider with allies how to interpret the decision and act.[78] Separately, Defense MinisterGuido Crosetto said that if Netanyahu and Gallant "were to come to Italy, we would have to arrest them".[119] On 15 January 2025, according to an anonymous source at a meeting of the Italian foreign and justice ministers with the Israeli foreign minister, the Italian ministers stated that Netanyahu would not be arrested if he visited Italy.[120]
Jordan: Foreign MinisterAyman Safadi said the ICC's decision must be respected and implemented and that "Palestinians deserve justice".[78]
Latvia: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Latvia “respects the court’s decisions” and confirmed that this would also apply to the ICC warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant.[121]
Lebanon: The Foreign Ministry welcomed the decision to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, stating that it "restores respect for international legitimacy and the concept of justice and international laws" and constitutes "a clear condemnation of the crimes committed by Israel against civilians."[122]
Lithuania: The Foreign Ministry confirmed that the arrest warrant would be executed.[123]
Luxembourg: The government stated to the news outlet Letzland that Luxembourg “attaches paramount importance to respecting the independence and impartiality of the ICC, and will implement all of its obligations arising from the Rome Statute.”[121]
Malaysia: Prime MinisterAnwar Ibrahim stated that his country welcomes the ICC's decision, which he described as "a victory for those who uphold justice and humanity".[124] On 31 January 2025 Malaysia was among the founding countries of theHague Group, a coalition of nine countries formed in defense of international law in relation to Israel and Palestine. Specifically, the countries pledged to "fulfill their obligations under the Rome Statute with respect to the warrants issued on 21 November 2024" against Gallant and Netanyahu, as well as to prevent arms sales to Israel.[89]
Namibia: The Foreign Ministry welcomed the decision to issue arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, and called on all UN member states to cooperate with the ICC.[125] On 31 January 2025 Namibia was among the founding countries of theHague Group, a coalition of nine countries formed in defense of international law in relation to Israel and Palestine. Specifically, the countries pledged to "fulfill their obligations under the Rome Statute with respect to the warrants issued on 21 November 2024" against Gallant and Netanyahu, as well as to prevent arms sales to Israel.[89]
Netherlands: In November 2024, foreign ministerCaspar Veldkamp declared that the Netherlands "implements the Rome Statute 100 percent",[126] becoming the first country to say that it is prepared to act upon the ICC arrest warrants.[citation needed]
New Zealand: In response to a question from a reporter asking if New Zealand would arrest Netanyahu and Gallant if they came to the country, Prime MinisterChristopher Luxon stated: "Yes, we support the ICC. […] We believe in the international rules-based system, we support the ICC, and we would be obligated to do so."[127]
Norway: Foreign MinisterEspen Barth Eide stated, "It is important that the ICC carries out its mandate in a judicious manner. I have confidence that the court will proceed with the case based on the highest fair trial standards."[78] State Secretary Andreas Kravik later confirmed to media that, if Netanyahu or any other subject of an ICC arrest warrant enters Norway, the country will "arrest and extradite the person concerned."[128]
Paraguay: In a press release, the Foreign Ministry said that it "regrets" the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, adding that the Paraguayan government "energetically rejects" what it considers to be "the political instrumentalization of international law".[129]
Poland: In December 2024 Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Bartoszewski told media that, if he enters Poland, Netanyahu would be arrested in accordance with the country's commitments to the ICC, making Netanyahu's attendance at the forthcoming 80th anniversary of theliberation of Auschwitz unlikely.[130] In January 2025 the Polish government changed its position, with Prime MinisterDonald Tusk interpreting the government resolution as implying that Netanyahu would not be detained should he visit during the anniversary, despite the arrest warrant.[53]
Portugal: Foreign MinisterPaulo Rangel assured that Portugal will comply with its international obligations "if that question arises" regarding the enforcement of ICC arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant.[131][132]
Romania: The Foreign Ministry published a post on X saying that it supports international law and the independence of the ICC, while also arguing that "there is no equivalence" between Israel on the one hand, and Hamas andHezbollah on the other.[133]
Senegal: On 31 January 2025 Senegal was among the founding countries of theHague Group, a coalition of nine countries formed in defense of international law in relation to Israel and Palestine. Specifically, the countries pledged to "fulfill their obligations under the Rome Statute with respect to the warrants issued on 21 November 2024" against Gallant and Netanyahu, as well as to prevent arms sales to Israel.[89]
Slovenia: Prime MinisterRobert Golob stated that Slovenia "will fully comply" with the arrest warrants.[134]
South Africa: South Africa welcomed the ICC's decision and called it a "significant step toward justice for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Palestine".[78] On 31 January 2025 South Africa was among the founding countries of theHague Group, a coalition of nine countries formed in defense of international law in relation to Israel and Palestine. Specifically, the countries pledged to "fulfill their obligations under the Rome Statute with respect to the warrants issued on 21 November 2024" against Gallant and Netanyahu, as well as to prevent arms sales to Israel.[89]
Spain: The Foreign Ministry stated that Spain "respects" the ICC's decision, confirming that the country "will comply with its commitments and obligations in relation to the Rome Statute and international law".[135]
Sweden: Foreign MinisterMaria Malmer Stenergard stated that her country and the EU "support the court's important work and protect its independence and integrity", adding that Swedish legal authorities will decide on the arrest of subjects of ICC warrants.[78]
Switzerland: TheFederal Office of Justice said that it is obliged to cooperate with the ICC as per the Rome Statute, and therefore would arrest Netanyahu, Gallant or Masri if they entered Switzerland.[78]
Turkey: PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdoğan stated his support for the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, and called on the124 ICC member states to arrest them.[136]
United Kingdom: Prime MinisterKeir Starmer's spokesperson said that the British government respects the independence of the International Criminal Court and indicated that Netanyahu would face arrest if he entered the United Kingdom.[137][138][139]
United States: TheWhite House said the United States "fundamentally rejects" the ICC's decision to issue arrest warrants, and added that "the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter".[78] PresidentJoe Biden called the arrest warrant for Netanyahu "outrageous".[143] In January 2025, theU.S. House of Representatives passed a bill sanctioning the ICC in protest at the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant.[144][145]Benjamin Netanyahu has become the first leader of a "western-style" democracy to have an arrest warrant issued in his name by the international criminal court.
This is the first time that the court has issued a warrant for leader of a Western ally and represents the most dramatic step yet in the court's involvement in the war between Israel and Hamas.
In their decision, the ICC judges said there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant were criminally responsible for acts including murder, persecution and starvation as a weapon of war as part of a "widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza".
The court says it has reasonable grounds to believe that the two Israeli leaders are criminally responsible for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Among the allegations are the use of starvation as a weapon of war and crimes against humanity.
...looting of the convoys reflects the complete anarchy that prevails in Gaza due to the lack of any functioning civilian government. ... Defense officials confirmed that the IDF is aware of the problem. (the Israeli government) considered making the clans to which the armed men belong responsible for distributing aid to Gaza's residents, even though some of the clans' members are involved in terrorism, and some are even affiliated with extremist organizations like the Islamic State.
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