Benjamin Netanyahu, L, and Yoav Gallant
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant today. They also issued a warrant for Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif.
Netanyahu and Gallant are charged with “war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, including the use of starvation as a weapon and directing attacks against civilians.” Deif is accused of masterminding the October 7, 2023, attack that kicked off a general war in Gaza and southern Lebanon.
These warrants effectively prevent Netanyahu and Gallant from leaving Israel, as all ICC members are now required to effect an arrest if either enter. I should note the US is not a member of the ICC and is not a signatory to the Rome Statute that founded and finances the court.
ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan had originally asked for the warrants back in May. Khan has his own issues. He was credibly accused of sexual assault by several subordinates and the investigations continue today. His brother, Imran Khan, was convicted of sexual assault of a minor while he was a sitting member of the UK Parliament. Somehow, Karim has survived so far, but he is still on shaky ground.
Then there are his alleged ties to Hamas and other Islamic terror groups and the fact he represented William Ruto in court. The VP of Kenya killed 1,200 people in post-election violence and was accused of crimes against humanity.
The question now becomes what practical effect will these warrants have. Frankly, all they are doing is irritating the incoming US administration. There is already talk on Capitol Hill about sanctioning the ICC and individual ICC members starting with Karim Khan and the judges that issued the warrants.