Arrest warrant for Netanyahu: ICC's diplomatic earthquake
The International Criminal Court in The Hague has issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, which according to "The Economist" is a "diplomatic disaster" for the Prime Minister of Israel.
According to the source, although Netanyahu is unlikely to appear in court and Israel will not halt military operations in the Gaza Strip, this decision will have far-reaching consequences. Israel might experience even greater isolation on the international stage and rely more heavily on support from the United States.
"The Economist" also notes that this is a period requiring tough decisions for the ICC, especially if the United States actually imposes sanctions on the court, as suggested by some representatives of the Republican Party.
According to the newspaper, the ICC's decision to issue an arrest warrant seemed "both inevitable and improbable" in recent months.
Consequences of the ICC's decision
The ICC accused Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant of war crimes in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, the ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Mohamed Deif, one of the leaders of Hamas, in connection with attacks that initiated the ongoing conflict. "But it is the charges against the two Israeli politicians that are the real earthquake: a diplomatic disaster for Mr Netanyahu, and perhaps also for the court itself" – noted "The Economist".
Israel is not a member of the ICC, so it will not send the politicians to The Hague, but 124 other countries can do so. The ICC's decision significantly restricts the freedom of movement for Netanyahu and Gallant, as both cannot visit countries where the arrest warrant could be enforced. Josep Borrell, the head of the European Union's diplomacy, confirmed that all EU member states are obliged to comply with the court's decision.
The ICC's decision was met with condemnation within the Israeli political scene. Republican politicians in the U.S., including Mike Waltz, called it an "antisemitic bias." Senator John Thune called for sanctions on the ICC judges.
As noted by the British daily, until now, the ICC has focused its actions on African military leaders and Russian officials, and now for the first time has turned against Israeli citizens. ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan was the initiator of the motion.
"The Economist" itself points out that the evidence against the Israeli politicians may be easier to present than in the case of genocide charges.
