ICC prosecutor calls to reject Israeli objections to Netanyahu warrant
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The ICC, established in 2002, is the permanent court for prosecuting individuals responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression.
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Karim Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, arrives at The National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, on April 22, 2024. (AP)
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has urged judges to dismiss Israeli objections to the ongoing investigation into the 13-month war in Gaza.
Khan submitted his formal response on Monday to the Israeli appeal regarding the court's jurisdiction, following the issuance of arrest warrants last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Security minister, accusing them of crimes against humanity related to the Israeli war.
Netanyahu, who is also facing corruption charges in "Israel", labeled the arrest warrant as "a black day in the history of nations" and vowed to contest the allegations.
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While individuals cannot directly challenge an arrest warrant, "Israel" can object to the entire investigation. In its December filing, "Israel" argued that it should be allowed to investigate the allegations against its leaders internally, asserting that continuing the investigation would violate its sovereignty.
The ICC, established in 2002, is the permanent court for prosecuting individuals responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression. The court’s 125 member states include Palestine, Ukraine, Canada, and the European Union, but several countries, including the US, Russia, and China, in addition to "Israel", do not accept its jurisdiction.
In his 55-page response, Khan emphasized that the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, grants the court authority to prosecute crimes committed in the territories of member states, regardless of where the perpetrators hail from.
A decision from the judges is expected in the coming months.
