In principle, Switzerland obligated to arrest Netanyahu: Exclusive
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Swiss authorities confirm they are obligated to arrest Netanyahu or other defendants if they enter the country, provided that the ICC has issued a corresponding arrest warrant or extradition request.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the fifth day of testimony in his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine on December 23, 2024. (AP)
Swiss federal authorities told Al Mayadeen that, in principle, Switzerland is "obligated to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu or any other accused individual if they enter Swiss territory, provided that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a corresponding arrest warrant or extradition request."
The Swiss Federal Office of Justice clarified that if an arrest warrant targets a head of state or prime minister with immunity under international law, the Federal Council would address the immunity matter based on requests from the Federal Office of Justice and the Federal Police.
Switzerland, a signatory to the Rome Statute since 2001, reaffirmed its commitment to the ICC's independence, the fight against impunity, and its obligation to fully cooperate with the court in all cases.
Last November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and ousted Security Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes in Gaza.
It marked 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.
