Africa: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Not Facing Arrest Warrant from International Criminal Court – Decision Pending from Judges

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been at the center of a developing news story regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Social media posts have been circulating claiming that the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, but this is not entirely accurate.

The ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has indeed applied for arrest warrants against five individuals, including Netanyahu, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the “situation in the State of Palestine”. The application also includes Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh.

The claims stem from Israel’s response to the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people and numerous other crimes. The conflict between Israel and Gaza has been ongoing, with a significant number of casualties on both sides.

South Africa has taken the lead in accusing Israel of breaching the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention through its actions in Gaza. The case, known as South Africa vs Israel, is still being heard, with other countries like Mexico, Libya, and Colombia joining in the suit.

However, it is important to note that as of now, no arrest warrant has been issued for Netanyahu or the other individuals named in the ICC application. The process of deciding on the warrants is expected to take several months, as seen in previous cases like that of Sudanese military leader Omar al-Bashir.

The United States, a non-signatory to the ICC’s Rome Statute, has condemned the application, raising doubts about whether the arrest warrants will be issued at all. The situation remains fluid, and the outcome is uncertain.

As of the time of publication, the ICC has not issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The story continues to evolve, and updates are expected as the ICC judges deliberate on the application. Stay tuned for further developments on this international legal issue.