The Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed that Canada would comply with a International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Israeli Prime Minister. Benjamin Netanyahu. He emphasized that Canada is committed to maintaining International Law and to enshrine it as a core value of Canadian identity, abiding by the rules and judgments of international courts.
Trudeau 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. We stand up for international law, and we stand up for international courts.” We will abide by all the rules and regulations. This is who we are as Canadians.”

On Thursday, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yves Galant, citing the charges. Crimes against humanity and other crimes related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has been going on for a year. The court also issued a warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammad Def, although Israel claims he was killed in a Gaza airstrike in July. Both Israel and Hamas have denied the allegations.
Trudeau reiterated Canada’s call for a ceasefire to protect civilians and emphasized the need for progress toward a two-state solution, envisioning a peaceful coexistence between Israel and the Palestinian state. Foreign Minister Melania Jolie This position echoes Canada’s commitment to fulfill its obligations under the ICC Treaty.
Netanyahu’s office criticized the arrest warrant as an anti-Semitic move, while Israel’s ambassador to Canada, Edo Maud, urged the Canadian government to reject and condemn the ICC’s decision, calling it Israel’s be framed as prejudicial to the right of self-defense.

In contrast, the United States, not an ICC member, rejected the warrant outright, citing concerns about the ICC prosecutor’s conduct and expressing its intention to coordinate a response with allies. did it The ICC lacks its own enforcement mechanism, relying on its 124 member states, including Canada, to implement its decisions.

Why did the ICC issue arrest warrants?

FILE – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Defense Minister Yves Galant attend a press conference at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo by AP, File)

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others on charges of crimes against humanity and other crimes. The charges are reportedly the latest in a series of moves since the start of the long-running conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Court investigates and prosecutes cases of serious crimes, such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, particularly in situations where national legal systems are unable or unwilling to pursue justice.
The ICC acts on the basis of complaints submitted to its prosecutor, who then investigates whether there is sufficient evidence to pursue a case. This may include documents from affected parties, states, international organizations, or civil society groups.

The ICC was established in 2002 under the Rome Statute and has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute:

Decisions to issue an arrest warrant follow these key steps:
1. Jurisdiction: The ICC determines whether alleged crimes fall within its jurisdiction, which applies to acts committed on the territory of member states or by nationals of member states.
2. Investigation: The prosecutor gathers evidence, which often involves extensive cooperation with states, international organizations and witnesses.
3. Authorization: If there is enough evidence, the court issues a warrant or summons for the person’s arrest.
4. Allegations: Allegations must meet the criteria of serious violations of international human rights or human rights law.
The ICC operates independently but is bound by its treaty and legal framework.

which must be complied with.

All 124 ICC member states, including Canada, are legally bound to comply with its rulings and execute arrest warrants when an accused person enters their jurisdiction. Compliance includes:

States that are not members, such as the United States and Israel, are not legally bound to comply with ICC warrants. However, the ICC can still pursue its own cases if the alleged crimes took place on the territory of a member state or involved nationals of member states.

Challenges in implementation

The ICC lacks its own enforcement mechanisms, such as a police force, so it relies entirely on member states for cooperation. In many cases, political considerations or opposition to the ICC’s authority can impede compliance, as seen with resistance from countries whose leaders or officials are subject to ICC rules.
With input from agencies