Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: An Israeli guard was killed in a shooting attack at the Gush Etzion Junction, and those who carried out the operation were injured
Ofer Military Court extended Nasser al-Lahham's detention for three days
Israeli media platform says a reserve soldier was found killed in Har Homa in al-Quds
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: An Israeli drone strikes a vehicle in the town of al-Mansouri with two missiles
Yemeni Armed Forces: We are working to expand our military support operations and continue the naval blockade until the aggression on Gaza ends
Yemeni Armed Forces: We carried out a top-tier military operation targeting Llydd Airport with a Thulfiqar missile, which successfully achieved its goal
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 16 Palestinians, including 10 children, were martyred in an Israeli bombardment near the al-Zawari junction in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip
US State Department sanctions UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese.
Yemeni Armed Forces: We reiterate our warning to companies dealing with ports in occupied Palestine that their vessels and crews will be targeted anywhere.
Yemeni Armed Forces: We reaffirm our commitment to preventing Israeli maritime activity in both the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.

UK drops challenge to ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu, others

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 27 Jul 2024 08:29
5 Min Read

"Israel" and the US, neither of which is a signatory to the ICC, had pressured the UK to maintain its objection, warning that dropping it could disrupt "peace negotiations being brokered by Washington."

Listen
  • x
  • Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party Keir Starmer, walks to the podium to address the nation after his general election victory, outside 10 Downing Street in London on July 5, 2024. (AFP)
    Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party Keir Starmer walks to the podium to address the nation after his general election victory, outside 10 Downing Street in London on July 5, 2024. (AFP)

The Labour government has taken its most significant action so far in reforming the UK's Middle East strategy by dropping its opposition to an international arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, despite pressure from Washington to maintain its stance.

On Friday, Downing Street stated that the government would not contest the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, where Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan is pursuing a warrant against the Israeli prime minister.

Khan's unprecedented request, aiming to hold a sitting Western-backed leader accountable, focuses on Netanyahu's role in war crimes and crimes against humanity amid the ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

Why it matters

The move makes it more likely that the ICC will now grant Khan’s request, in what would be a stunning international rebuke for "Israel" over the way it has conducted the war on Gaza and put Netanyahu at risk of arrest if he travels abroad.

It also reverses months of British policy after the previous government was steadfast in its support of "Israel" and its desire to stick closely to the US position.

Ministers are expected to announce further changes within days, including the results of a review of "Israel’s" compliance with international law. The foreign secretary, David Lammy, has also signaled that he is considering banning some arms sales to "Israel".

The deputy official spokesperson for the Prime Minister stated, “On the submission, this was a proposal by the previous government that was not submitted before the election. I can confirm the government will not be pursuing that in line with our longstanding position that this is a matter for the court to decide on."

“The government feels very strongly about the rule of law internationally and domestically, and the separation of powers, and I would note the courts have already received a number of submissions on either side and they are well seized of the arguments to make their determination,” the spokesperson added.

A flashback

Related News

Netanyahu's statements confirm intentional obstruction of truce: Hamas

Gaza Massacres: Dozens killed as IOF strikes civilians, aid lines

In May, Khan announced his application for warrants against Netanyahu and his Security Minister, Yoav Gallant, for war crimes committed during the ongoing war on Gaza. 

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticized Khan's decision in May, and a month later, his government notified the ICC of its intent to challenge the court's jurisdiction over Israelis.

"Israel" and the US, neither of which is a signatory to the ICC, had pressured the UK to maintain its objection, warning that dropping it could disrupt "peace negotiations being brokered by Washington."

However, senior Labour figures have consistently asserted they would respect the court's independence. In May, Lammy told the Commons, “Labour’s position is that the ICC chief prosecutor’s decision to apply for arrest warrants is an independent matter for the court and the prosecutor.”

The government's decision does not necessarily mean that Khan's request will be granted. Numerous other groups and countries have informed the court of their intent to make submissions, both in support of and opposing "Israel".

Among them is Germany, which has expressed concerns that Khan's case should not proceed while the war in Gaza is ongoing.

The government's decision does not guarantee that Khan's request will be approved. Numerous other groups and countries have expressed their intention to make submissions to the court.

Among them is Germany, which has raised concerns about hearing Khan's case while the war on Gaza continues.

However, the UK's new stance indicates that the Labour government will adopt a more critical position towards "Israel".

Last week, Lammy announced that the UK would join other nations in reinstating funding to the UN's relief agency for Palestine, UNRWA, reversing the previous government's suspension.

He is also set to reveal the findings of a review into whether "Israel" is violating international law. Additionally, The Guardian reported citing sources that ministers are considering a partial ban on arms sales to "Israel".

The foreign secretary told the Commons last week, “It would not be right to have a blanket ban between our countries and Israel. What is right is for me to consider in the normal way are the issues in relation to offensive weapons in Gaza, following the quasi-judicial process that I have outlined.”

It is worth noting that Pro-Palestinian organizations have praised the UK's change in stance.
 
Zaki Sarraf, the legal officer of the International Centre for Justice for Palestinians, quoted by The Guardian, said, "Respecting the jurisdiction and independence of the ICC is the least the Labour government can do to demonstrate a genuine commitment to justice and accountability."

Read next: HRW’s Gaza report: Fact-check unveils bias and injustice

  • war on Gaza
  • ICC
  • Israel
  • Gaza genocide
  • Benjamin Netanyahu
  • United Kingdom
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Syria demands 1/3 of Golan, Lebanese areas for 'Israel' peace deal

Syria demands 1/3 of Golan, Lebanese areas for 'Israel' normalization

  • MENA
  • 4 Jul 2025
Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Al-Qassam hits IOF groupings in Khan Younis; ‘tough incident’ reported

3 Israeli soldiers killed by Resistance gunfire in south, north Gaza

  • Palestine
  • 4 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, center, attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' attempted to assassinate Pezeshkian during war: Exclusive

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, July 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran open to US nuclear talks but demands guarantees, says Araghchi

Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations stand in northern of Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Politics

Ceasefire stalls as 'Israel' demands control over one-third of Gaza

Al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Obeida during a public address, March 6, 2025 (Al-Qassam Military Media)
Politics

Al-Qassam vows ongoing Resistance in response to Al-Aqsa aggression

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS