A pre-trial chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war in Gaza.
Why it matters: The dramatic move will further isolate Israel internationally and increase the pressure on Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza.
- This is the first time the ICC has issued arrest warrants against a major U.S. ally, as well as the first time it has issued warrants for the leader of a democratic country.
- Netanyahu and Gallant will be under the risk of arrest if they travel to one of the 125 countries that are party to the Rome Statute that established the international body, among them many of Israel’s western allies. The U.S. is not among that group and doesn’t recognize the court’s jurisdiction.
- However, the development poses a major challenge for the Biden administration in its last two months in office and will be a key issue for President-elect Trump’s incoming administration.
Driving the news: The judges said in their ruling that they rejected Israeli appeals claiming that the ICC doesn’t have jurisdiction over the situation in Gaza or over Israeli nationals. They also rejected Israeli demands to halt the proceedings.
- Israel does not have to recognize the court’s jurisdiction in order for the court to issue arrest warrants, the ruling stated.
Zoom in: The ICC decision could trigger legislation by Congress against the international court.
- Incoming Senate majority leader John Thune threatened earlier this week that the U.S. will impose sanctions on the ICC if it moves ahead with the arrest warrants.
@Axios
