Concern rises over possible ICC arrest warrants for Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, military leaders

Chris Benson
·3 min read
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People hold a banner at a protest demanding the end of the Israel-Hamas War outside the Tel Aviv branch of the U.S. Embassy earlier this month. There have been ongoing calls for Netanyahu to step down. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI
People hold a banner at a protest demanding the end of the Israel-Hamas War outside the Tel Aviv branch of the U.S. Embassy earlier this month. There have been ongoing calls for Netanyahu to step down. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI
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April 29 (UPI) -- An Israeli official on Monday said the government is working to stop possible arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials.

The ICC, based in the Hague, Netherlands, told NBC News Monday that there is "an ongoing independent investigation in relation to the Situation in the State of Palestine" but the ICC would "have no further comment to make at this stage."

Israel is now reportedly working diplomatic channels in order to try to stop the warrants from being issued, the official said Monday in discussion on the possible arrest warrants for Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and other senior military officials.

The western Europe-based ICC investigation goes back to 2014.

Later that year, Palestinian foreign minister Riad al-Maliki sent a letter to then-United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the United Kingdom, United States, France, Australia, Canada, South Africa and five Latin American countries urging them to investigate Israel for war crimes allegedly committed during its 50-day conflict in Gaza -- also during Netanyahu's premiership.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset -- the parliament -- in Jerusalem in March. On Friday, Netanyahu said Israel “will never accept any attempt by the ICC to undermine its inherent right of self-defense." Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset -- the parliament -- in Jerusalem in March. On Friday, Netanyahu said Israel “will never accept any attempt by the ICC to undermine its inherent right of self-defense." Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI

While both Israel and the United States do not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction and any such warrant does not include any possibility of prison, it could impede foreign travel in Europe for some Israeli officials.

But a warrant would serve mostly as a public rebuke of Netanyahu's leadership and would put him on the same mantle as Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in the Knesset, Jerusalem, in March. Netanyahu has been under ICC investigation since 2014 and Israel's 50-day conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in the Knesset, Jerusalem, in March. Netanyahu has been under ICC investigation since 2014 and Israel's 50-day conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI

The ICC is different of the International Court of Justice -- also in the midst of its own investigation on possible acts of genocide in Gaza -- and can only charge individuals with war or other-related charges.

Seemingly in response to the ICC rumors, Netanyahu said Friday on social media that Israel "will never accept any attempt by the ICC to undermine its inherent right of self-defense" as Israeli officials reportedly are becoming more worried about the possibility of the warrants.

"The threat to seize the soldiers and officials of the Middle East's only democracy and the world's only Jewish state is outrageous. We will not bow to it," Netanyahu posted on X.

Palestine is a member of a range of international organizations, such as the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the International Criminal Court.

The International Criminal Court had already prepared war crimes charges against Russia for alleged atrocities committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine.

In early March, the ICC had issued warrants for Russian military officials for attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.

And in March last year, the ICC had issued arrest warrants for Putin and children's commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for illegally transferring children from Ukraine to Russia.