'Israel' appeals to cancel ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant
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"Israel" requests the ICC to cancel arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant and seeks the disqualification of Prosecutor Karim Khan, citing political motives.
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Israeli occupation prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to former security minister Yaov Gallant in occupied al-Quds on October 28, 2024. (AP)
"Israel" has officially submitted a request to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to revoke the arrest warrants issued for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, while also calling for the disqualification of Prosecutor Karim Khan from handling cases related to "Israel", the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced Monday.
Last month, the International Criminal Court (ICC) rejected an appeal by the Israeli occupation seeking to overturn arrest warrants issued for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Security Minister Yoav Gallant, both accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, the ICC ruled that the Israeli regime's attempt to rescind the warrants was “not an appealable issue,” reaffirming its earlier finding that the two officials bear criminal responsibility for atrocities committed during the ongoing war on Gaza.
"Israel" Today filed a motion with the ICC Appeals Chamber to disqualify Prosecutor Karim Khan from participating in proceedings concerning Israel. Furthermore, Israel is asking the court to revoke the unfounded arrest warrants issued by the prosecutor against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant," the ministry said.
The foreign ministry accused Khan of political bias, alleging his actions were intended to distract public attention from ongoing sexual harassment allegations against him.
The ICC had issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant in late November 2024, following Khan’s application earlier that year. He says the two were responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Israeli genocide in Gaza that began in October 2023.
Trump sanctions hinder ICC investigations
Khan has faced severe obstacles since the Trump administration imposed sanctions against him in February.
These sanctions have disrupted the court’s work, freezing Khan’s bank accounts, cutting off his email access, and warning American ICC staffers of potential arrest if they travel to the United States. The move has raised serious concerns about the future of the ICC and its ability to conduct war crimes investigations.
The sanctions followed a November decision by the ICC to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Security Minister Yoav Gallant. The warrants accused them of war crimes linked to actions in the Israeli occupation’s assault on the Gaza Strip.
In retaliation, the Trump administration sanctioned Khan and barred him and other non-Americans among the ICC’s staff from entering the US, threatening fines and imprisonment for anyone providing financial or technological support to the prosecutor.
