Despite international arrest warrant, 'wanted' Gallant plans US visit

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
25 Nov 2024 09:57

The former security chief is scheduled to meet with top White House and State Department officials in Washington.

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Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant, left, speaks during his meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon in Washington, Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (AP)

Former Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant is scheduled to visit Washington, D.C., next Sunday for discussions with senior White House and US State Department officials. This will be his first trip since the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for him.

The visit follows a tumultuous period for Gallant, who was sacked from his position by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu had previously prevented Gallant from traveling to the US, citing the need for improved coordination with the Biden administration amid regional security concerns.

In early October, Gallant was scheduled for a brief visit to Washington to enhance US-"Israel" security coordination. However, Netanyahu delayed the trip, making it contingent on a phone call between him and President Joe Biden. Soon after, Netanyahu dismissed Gallant and appointed Israel Katz as the new security minister.

The US is not a member of the ICC and does not acknowledge its authority, meaning Gallant will not face legal challenges while in the country. However, concerns remain that if Gallant’s plane were to make an emergency landing in a country that adheres to the ICC's jurisdiction, he could face legal risks due to the arrest warrant.

Dive deeper

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued last Thursday arrest warrants for Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Security Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of "crimes against humanity and war crimes."

This marks a significant escalation in legal actions concerning the war on Gaza, obliging the ICC’s 124 member states to detain Netanyahu and Gallant should they enter their territory.

The court announced its unanimous rejection of "Israel's" appeal challenging the ICC’s jurisdiction.

The ICC stated that there are "reasonable grounds" to believe Netanyahu and Gallant “bear criminal responsibility for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare."

It also indicated that they "intentionally and knowingly deprived" Gaza’s civilian population of essential resources, including food, water, medical supplies, and fuel.

US falls in line to defend Netanyahu

Netanyahu has previously dismissed the ICC prosecutor’s request in May for arrest warrants, describing it as "absurd and false" and a "distortion of reality."

It is noteworthy that in June, the US House of Representatives passed a bill that would, if enacted, revoke US visas for ICC officials, restrict their entry into the United States, and impose financial penalties on any ICC personnel involved in efforts to prosecute or detain US allies.

At the time, incumbent US President Joe Biden voiced strong opposition to the legislation, which passed with a 247-155 majority, including the support of 42 Democrats.

Senator John Thune, who is poised to become the Senate majority leader, said on Sunday that the United States must enact legislation imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it proceeds with issuing arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or other Israeli officials.

“If the ICC and its prosecutor do not reverse their outrageous and unlawful actions to pursue arrest warrants against Israeli officials, the Senate should immediately pass sanctions legislation, as the House has already done on a bipartisan basis,” he posted on X.