Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is appealing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict.
"The State of Israel denies the authority of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague and the legitimacy of the arrest warrants," a statement from Netanyahu's office read.
"Israel today submitted a notice to the International Criminal Court of its intention to appeal to the court, along with a demand to delay the execution of the arrest warrants," it added.
The ICC also issued warrants for former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif. Netanyahu has rejected the warrants as "absurd" and "anti-Semitic", and Israel has formally notified the ICC of its intention to appeal and requested a delay in the execution of the warrants.
Netanyahu accused the ICC of bias and saying, "The State of Israel challenges the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the legitimacy of the arrest warrants issued."
"Israel's notice of appeal reveals in detail how the decision to issue the arrest warrants was baseless and devoid of any factual or legal basis," the statement further said.
The warrants were issued following accusations that Netanyahu and Gallant bore criminal responsibility for using starvation as a method of warfare. They also accused them of other inhumane acts against Gaza's civilian population. The ICC's decision came after a prolonged investigation into Israeli forces and Hamas' actions during the conflict. This conflict saw significant civilian casualties and destruction.
This situation could strain Israel's diplomatic relations with countries that support the ICC's decision. It may also lead to increased scrutiny from international organisations and pressure from allies to address the allegations. The arrest warrant could impact ongoing peace negotiations and Israel's efforts to maintain regional stability.
If Netanyahu's appeal succeeds, the arrest warrants would be nullified, and he would avoid potential detention and prosecution by ICC member states. This outcome would also bolster Netanyahu's position domestically and internationally, reinforcing his stance on the ICC's jurisdiction and legitimacy.
However, if the appeal fails, Netanyahu could face arrest if he travels to any of the 124 ICC member states. These states must enforce warrants. This would severely limit his international mobility and could lead to significant political and diplomatic repercussions for Israel. The appeal failure would also underscore the ICC's determination to hold leaders accountable for alleged war crimes, regardless of their position.
The situation has sparked a debate among ICC member states about the legality and enforceability of the warrants. Some countries, like France, suggested that Netanyahu might have immunity due to Israel not being an ICC member. This complex legal and political landscape will continue to evolve as the appeal process unfolds.