UK could delay ICC decision on Netanyahu arrest warrant: The Guardian
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The UK's intervention in the ICC case against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes could provide legal arguments that could delay the decision for arrest warrants.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attend a press conference in the Kirya military base in occupied Palestine, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 (AP)
Interference by the United Kingdom could delay the International Criminal Court's decision regarding whether an arrest warrant would be issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or not, The Guardian reported.
Judges at the ICC granted on Thursday the UK permission to submit legal arguments in the case against Netanyahu when it reviews the decision on arrest warrants against him and Yoav Gallant.
Court documents also showed that following the ICC prosecutor's request for the issuing of arrest warrants, the UK stated the court should review the jurisdiction it has over Israeli settlers before making any decision.
International law experts expressed concerns regarding the UK's intervention in the case, saying it was politically motivated and could give the country the chance to reopen already settled cases.
Read more: ICC must be allowed to work ‘without intimidation’, say 93 members
Another attempt to evade conviction?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked United States President Joe Biden to prevent the ICC from issuing arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials responsible for war crimes in the Gaza Strip, Axios said citing two Israeli officials.
Reportedly, the names of Netanyahu, Security Minister Yoav Gallant, and Israeli occupation forces (IOF) Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi have been circled as suspects of war crimes that the ICC will look to prosecute.
According to Axios, Netanyahu expressed his concern regarding increasing reports on the possibility of the issuance of the arrest warrants, during a phone call with Biden regarding regional developments and the prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian Resistance.
The ICC has been looking into war crimes committed back in 2014 in the Gaza Strip, however, it has produced no punitive decisions against individuals.
A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council declined to comment on the contents of Netanyahu's call with Biden, but told Axios, "As we have publicly said many times, the ICC has no jurisdiction in this situation and we do not support its investigation."
