ICC Prosecutor: No legal basis for suspension of Netanyahu’s arrest warrant
Last Updated on December 2, 2024 5:58 am
International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan has said there is no legal basis for suspending the arrest warrants issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
In a document recently published on the ICC’s website, Karim Khan urged the Appeals Chamber of the Hague-based court to reject Israel’s application.
He insisted that Israel’s request did not meet the legal requirements required by ICC rules.
He also noted that Israel’s challenge was not a matter of “admissibility,” a key requirement for such appeals. Rather, it concerned procedural complaints related to the investigation.
Explanation of the process under the Rome Statute
Karim Khan explained at the time that Israel cannot raise a ‘jurisdictional challenge’ until the ICC has made a decision under Article 58 of the Rome Statute. However, this may be possible in the future if the conditions are met.
Charges against Netanyahu and Gallant
Last week, the ICC issued arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Prosecutor Karim Khan’s statement indicated that it would be difficult for Israel to revoke or suspend the warrant. This would deepen the legal and moral conflict between Israel and the international community. Source: Mehr News Agency