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All 124 member states of the Rome Statute – a 1998 treaty that created the ICC – are now required to detain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in the Gaza war.
The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and his former Defense Minister Yves Gallant for alleged war crimes in the Gaza conflict. (Image: X)
Canada, Ireland, Italy, Holland and other countries have said they will comply. Arrest warrant Issued against the Israeli Prime Minister. Benjamin Netanyahu by the International Criminal Court.
All 124 member states of the Rome Statute – a 1998 treaty that founded the International Criminal Court (ICC) – are now bound to detain Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in the Gaza war. But, the court cannot impose its powers on member states and has to rely on their cooperation for arrests.
Several ICC members are allies of Israel under Netanyahu, including Britain, Germany, France and Hungary. It is highly unlikely that these countries would arrest the Israeli prime minister if he were to visit their soil.
On Thursday (November 21), the ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoo Gallant for “crimes against humanity and war crimes” between October 8, 2023 and May 20 this year. He also issued a warrant for Muhammad’s arrest. Def, the head of Hamas’s military wing, said Def was killed in an airstrike in July, but the militant group has not confirmed his death.
Who will arrest which countries, who welcomed this move?
Ireland: ‘Yes, of course’
Prime Minister Simon Harris said on Friday that Netanyahu would be detained if he arrived in Ireland. asked the state broadcaster RTE Ireland would arrest him if he came to Ireland, he said: “Yes, of course. We support international courts and apply their warrants.”
Relations between Ireland and Israel have soured since Dublin recognized a Palestinian state last May, a move that prompted Israel to recall its ambassador. This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ireland, Michael Martin News Stock Radio that war crimes have been committed in Gaza. “This is the collective punishment of people… this is genocide,” he said.
Italy: ‘We have to arrest’
Italian Defense Minister Guido Croceto said his country would be bound to arrest Netanyahu if he landed on its shores. He told RAI television’s Porta a Porta program that he believed the ICC was “wrong” to place Netanyahu and Gallant at the same level as Hamas.
But, he said, if Netanyahu or Gallant “were to come to Italy, we would have to arrest them.” It was not a political choice, but Italy was bound as an ICC member to comply with the court’s warrant.
Netherlands: ‘Line clear from government’
Dutch Foreign Minister Kasper Veldkamp, whose country hosts the ICC, has reportedly confirmed that his country will arrest Netanyahu. “The line from the government is clear. We are committed to cooperating with the ICC… We abide by the Rome Statute 100 percent,” he said on Thursday (November 21).
Canada: ‘Important to abide by international law’
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country would support and comply with the ICC’s warrant. “First of all, as Canada has always said, it’s really important that everyone abides by international law. That’s something we’ve been calling for since the beginning of the conflict,” he reportedly said. said in Toronto.
Canada is one of the founding members of the ICC and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Spain: ‘respects the decision’
Spain said it would follow the decision, official sources said. AFP The country “respects the decision and will comply with its commitments and obligations in compliance with the Rome Statute and international law”.
Norway: ‘Confidence’
“It is important that the ICC carries out its mandate in a fair manner. I am confident that the court will proceed with the case based on the highest fair trial standards,” said Norwegian Foreign Minister Aspen Barth Ide.
Sweden: ‘Freedom and Integrity’
“Sweden and the European Union support the important work of the court and protect its independence and integrity,” said Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmar Steinergaard.
Belgium: ‘War on Immunity’
“The fight against impunity wherever crimes are committed is a priority for Belgium, which fully supports the (ICC’s) work,” the Belgian Foreign Ministry said on X. level, regardless of who committed them.”
Turkey: ‘Positive Decision’
The ICC decision is “a belated but positive decision to stop the bloodshed and end the genocide in Palestine,” Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tanak said on X.
The European Union: ‘Binding’
“This is not a political decision,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said during a visit to Jordan. Court should be respected and implemented.
China: ‘Aims, hopes for fair position’
China, which like Israel and the US is not a member of the ICC, urged the court to be objective and fair after issuing the warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest. “China hopes that the ICC will maintain an objective and fair stance (and) exercise its powers in accordance with the law,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular press conference.
China said it supports “any effort by the international community on the Palestinian issue that is conducive to achieving justice and fairness and upholding international law”.
Which countries are ‘researching’?
France: ‘takes note’
France said on Friday it had taken note of the arrest warrants issued for Netanyahu, Gallant and Def. “France takes note of this decision. In line with its longstanding commitment to support international justice, it reaffirms its commitment to the independent work of the court,” the French foreign ministry said in a statement, without specifying whether Individuals will be arrested upon entering French territory.
Germany: ‘Ideological’
Germany is evaluating how to respond to the ICC’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Annalina Birbach said on Friday. “We are of course evaluating what it means to implement it in Germany,” he told public broadcaster ARD. .
Whether German authorities will move to arrest Netanyahu or Gallant is currently “theoretical,” Birbach said. A country is “bound” to the court because it recognizes the body and respects international law.
German government spokesman Stephan Habstreit said Berlin was “one of the biggest supporters of the ICC”, which came about partly as a “consequence of German history”.
“At the same time, it is a result of German history that we share a unique relationship and a great responsibility with Israel,” he said. He added that further steps will be taken only if Netanyahu or Gallant plan to visit Germany.
Which countries are against this move?
Hungary: ‘outrageously disrespectful’
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Friday condemned Netanyahu’s arrest warrant, saying he would oppose it by inviting him to Hungary. In comments on state radio, he accused the ICC of “interfering in an ongoing conflict for political purposes”, saying the decision undermined international law and increased tensions.
In his comments, Orban, a close ally of Netanyahu, called the arrest warrant “outrageously stupid” and a “joke.” He said he would invite Netanyahu to Hungary and vowed to ignore the warrant if the invitation was accepted.
“We will reject this decision, and there will be no consequences for it,” Orbán said. He also wrote to Netanyahu that the arrest warrant was a “shameful” move.
Hungary signed the Rome Statute in 1999 and ratified it two years later during Orbán’s first term in office. However, the country has not ratified the Convention for constitutional reasons and therefore claims that it is not bound to comply with ICC decisions.
US: ‘Incendiary’
US President Joe Biden called the ICC’s arrest warrant “outrageous” in a statement on Thursday. “Whatever the ICC means, there is no equality between Israel and Hamas,” he said.
“We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security,” he said. In an earlier statement, the White House said it “fundamentally rejects” calls for arrests.
Argentina: ‘Israel’s Right to Self-Defense Ignored’
Argentine President Javier Meli said the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant “ignore” Israel’s right to self-defense. He said the country “expresses its deep disagreement” with the decision, which “ignores Israel’s legitimate right to self-defense.”
“Israel is facing brutal aggression, inhumane hostage-taking and indiscriminate attacks on its own population,” he said. “Criminalizing the legitimate defense of a nation while ignoring these atrocities is an act that distorts the spirit of international justice,” he said.
(with agency information)
