The International Criminal Court (ICC) has initiated an investigation into allegations of war crimes committed by Israel, according to reports from Israeli media. Despite not being a member of the ICC and not recognizing its jurisdiction, the ICC has taken action against Israel. This puts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials at risk of arrest, as experts believe that an arrest warrant could greatly harm Israel’s international reputation.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has been under pressure due to the possibility of an arrest warrant, leading him to have continuous discussions with relevant parties, particularly the administration of US President Joe Biden. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi are also said to be at risk of being arrested by the ICC.
In a separate case, South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for allegedly committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The ICJ ruled that Israel must fulfill its humanitarian obligations in the Gaza Strip and prevent and punish any acts of inciting genocide. However, the court did not consider the claim of genocide against Israel.
Israel’s actions during the 2014 campaign against Hamas, settlement programs in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and treatment of Palestinian protesters in the Gaza Strip are all part of the investigation being conducted by the ICC. If an arrest warrant is issued for Prime Minister Netanyahu or other officials, it would put them under immense pressure and potentially damage their reputations internationally. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold in coming weeks or months.