Argentine Nobel Peace Prize laureate Adolfo Pérez Esquivel has filed a petition before a federal court demanding that Argentina uphold its legal obligations under the International Criminal Court (ICC) and arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he enter the country.

Speaking to reporters in Argentina on Monday while announcing the submission of his formal petition to a federal court, Pérez said that Argentina must respect international law and enforce ICC rulings that accuse Netanyahu of genocide and war crimes in Gaza. "If he comes here, invited by President [Javier] Milei, logically, he (Netanyahu) will find resistance. And we hope that he does not come to the country," Pérez declared.

He reminded the government that Argentina recognizes the ICC's jurisdiction, and therefore cannot ignore its decisions. According to Pérez, "Israel's" military actions in Gaza have deliberately targeted civilians and led to the deaths of approximately 20,000 children, making the case for accountability undeniable.

Pérez also criticized the Milei administration for its refusal to execute any arrest order against Netanyahu, calling the stance a betrayal of democratic principles. "The court's position is unequivocal," he said, adding that the president's refusal "is a negative sign for democracy" and exposes Argentina's growing alignment with "Israel" and the United States.

Justice, Peace, Resistance

A revered figure in Latin America's human rights movement, Pérez earned the 1980 Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent opposition to Argentina's military dictatorship, during which he was imprisoned and tortured. His latest intervention underscores his lifelong commitment to justice and opposition to state repression.

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Netanyahu had reportedly planned to visit Argentina following a trip to the United States, but Israeli officials later said the visit was canceled "due to technical reasons." The planned tour coincided with a period of intensifying diplomatic and military cooperation between Tel Aviv and Buenos Aires under President Milei, who recently received the B'nai B'rith Award for his "unwavering commitment to Israel."

Pérez accused Washington of perpetuating the Gaza war by blocking peace initiatives at the United Nations, saying, "The US supports Israel, even with the veto in the UN." He described US policy as the greatest obstacle to peace, noting that US backing allows "Israel" to continue defying international law.

He further condemned "Israel's" longstanding efforts to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state, blaming powerful allies for enabling its aggression. Pérez argued that the UN has failed to fulfill its mandate, stating, "The UN has to be reformed and democratized. We, the peoples of the world, want peace. Yet, we see the current situation. It is extremely dangerous."

Solidarity Beyond Borders

The Nobel laureate also pointed out that a significant number of Jewish Argentines also oppose "Israel's" assault on Gaza. He cited actor Norman Briski, who faced anti-Semitic backlash after denouncing "Israel's" actions, as evidence of diverse Jewish voices rejecting war crimes. Pérez highlighted ongoing cooperation between Jewish and pro-Palestinian activists through the "Not in Our Name" campaign, which promotes peaceful resolution and solidarity.

In his remarks, Pérez praised global civil society initiatives such as the Global Sumud Flotilla, which seeks to break "Israel's" blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.

Calling for an immediate end to the assault, Pérez stated, "Israel must stop this genocide, which it continues to commit every day, bombing hospitals, schools, and destroying the lives of a people. That is really very, very bad, and humanity must help."

"On the one hand, European countries talk about wanting peace, but they continue to help Israel. The UN is silenced. The US continues to press to make the Palestinian people disappear."

Through his legal appeal, Pérez is demanding that Argentina choose justice over political alliances and that it stand with the victims of Gaza rather than those who wage war against them.

Read more: Argentina's Milei asks Netanyahu to delay visit fearing public revolt