:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/VDOYLYKUKXCBIUW35YDDUZKRVE.jpg "Tension between Israel and the International Criminal Court over possible charges for the war in Gaza")
The situation between Israel and the International Criminal Court (ICC) is heating up, with concerns rising that the court may issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli military and political leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for alleged war crimes committed in Gaza. Israeli authorities have strongly denounced the prospect of their leaders being targeted by the ICC, calling it “an outrage of historic proportions” and accusing the court of trying to undermine Israel’s ability to defend itself.
According to reports, the ICC has been investigating Israel’s actions for the past three years, and recently expanded its probe to include Hamas as well. Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan has warned that his office will take action if international humanitarian law is violated, following a visit to the region where he met with political leaders and families of Palestinian victims.
If arrest warrants are issued, it would be unprecedented for a leader of a Western democracy to face such a move by the ICC. This has sparked concern in Israel about its international image and security. Former Israeli ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, views recent legal actions against Israel as a blow to its standing and security on the global stage.
Legal expert Sir Geoffrey Nice, who led the prosecution against Slobodan Milosevic, highlights that the ICC’s investigation targets actions of both Israeli and Palestinian sides. He notes that governments may try to pressure the ICC to reconsider its decisions to protect their interests and reputation.
The ICC’s arrest processes can take time, but if warrants are issued, it could impact the ability of those named to travel abroad. Countries that are parties to the Rome Statute are obligated to hand over individuals with outstanding arrest warrants, although some nations have disregarded such requests in the past. The outcome of this ongoing tension between Israel and the ICC remains to be seen.