President Gustavo Petro suggests ICC should issue arrest warrant for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu
President Gustavo Petro of Colombia has suggested that the International Criminal Court (ICC) should issue an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Petro, a vocal critic of Netanyahu, took to social media to express his views on the matter. He accused Netanyahu of not stopping the genocide in Gaza and called for an international arrest warrant to be issued by the ICC.
This comes after Petro broke diplomatic relations with Israel on May 1, following the lead of Bolivia and Belize. He also halted the purchase of weapons manufactured in Israel.
The conflict in Gaza has claimed the lives of many, with Petro labeling Netanyahu as “genocidal” for his handling of the situation. Israeli officials have expressed concerns that ICC arrest warrants may be issued against members of the government, including Netanyahu.
While there has been talk of potential indictments against Hamas leaders as well, no official arrest warrants have been announced yet. The Israeli Prime Minister has warned that such warrants could threaten the country’s ability to defend itself.
The decision to break ties with Israel has drawn criticism from Israeli officials, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz accusing Petro of supporting “murderers and rapists.” However, the move has been celebrated as a victory by Hamas.
The situation remains tense as the ICC considers taking action against both Israeli and Palestinian leaders involved in the conflict.