UK Government’s Position on ICC Arrest Warrant for Netanyahu

UK’s Stance on ICC Arrest Warrant for Netanyahu

The UK government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has confirmed that it will not intervene in the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) request for an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This declaration was made on Friday, marking a significant shift from the approach taken by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was ousted from office earlier this month following a decisive victory for Starmer’s Labour Party in the elections.

A spokesperson for Starmer stated, “This was a proposal by the previous government that was not submitted before the election, and I can confirm that the current government will not be pursuing it. This aligns with our long-standing position that such matters should be left to the court to decide.”

The ICC’s prosecutor, Karim Khan, has accused Netanyahu, along with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders—Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh—of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Netanyahu and other Israeli officials have vehemently condemned this move, labeling it as disgraceful and antisemitic. In a similar vein, US President Joe Biden has also criticized the prosecutor’s actions while reaffirming Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, a stance previously echoed by Sunak.

Khan’s pursuit of warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant dates back to May, amidst Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which have further intensified the country’s isolation in the international community regarding its actions in the region. It is important to note that Israel is not a member of the ICC, and even if warrants are issued, neither Netanyahu nor Gallant faces an immediate threat of prosecution. However, the existence of such warrants could complicate their international travel plans.

A Challenging Dilemma for Starmer and the Labour Party

As a former human rights lawyer, Starmer is under considerable pressure from within his party to adopt a more assertive stance regarding the escalating crisis in Gaza, particularly as the humanitarian toll continues to rise dramatically. The UK capital, London, has witnessed massive protests against Israel’s military actions aimed at combating Hamas militants, alongside a concerning surge in antisemitic incidents.

The Labour Party experienced a decline in support and lost seats they were expected to secure after Starmer hesitated to call for a ceasefire in the aftermath of Hamas’s attack on October 7. The party is still navigating the repercussions of a scandal involving allegations of antisemitism that plagued the leadership of Starmer’s predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn.