Britain’s newly established government has taken an unexpected turn by scrapping a delicate query concerning the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) jurisdiction over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister, Yoav Gallant. The ICC’s chief prosecutor dropped a bombshell, alleging war crimes against Netanyahu and Gallant, which not only rattled Israel but also sent shockwaves through its closest ally, the United States. As if the situation weren’t already a powder keg, the prosecutor also aimed accusations at three Hamas leaders, adding fuel to the fire.
The UK will drop its objection to arrest warrants being issued by the ICC for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
The announcement, made by a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, overturns the previous government’s… pic.twitter.com/ZOaLo9fTc0
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) July 26, 2024
Previously, under the Conservative rule, Britain—a member state of the ICC—had asked the court to weigh in on a thorny issue: could it assert jurisdiction over Israelis, given the Oslo Accords’ constraints on Palestinian legal authority? But the political winds have shifted. With the Labour Party now in charge, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the new administration has opted to step back from this legal entanglement, leaving the ICC to sort out the jurisdictional complexities. Starmer’s spokesperson underscored that this matter should be left entirely to the court’s discretion, signaling a clear departure from previous policy.
UK says it wont challenge the ICC arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant
The previous Uk government wanted to challenge the jurisdiction of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant and Halevi
The new Labour government has said it wont submit a… pic.twitter.com/2CuhGU1xs1
— Brian BJ (@iamBrianBJ) July 26, 2024
This shift marks a dramatic change in Britain’s approach to international legal bodies. The Conservatives had often been at odds with supranational organizations, showing particular disdain for the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights. Starmer, with his legal background, has struck a decidedly different tone, advocating for a strong adherence to international law. In recent talks with European leaders, he emphasized his administration’s unwavering respect for global legal norms, painting a stark contrast to the previous government’s skeptical stance.
The ICC’s probe, launched in 2021, aims to investigate potential war crimes on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides. The court established its jurisdiction after Palestine, recognized as a United Nations observer state, became a member in 2015. Yet, the question of how the 1993 Oslo Accords apply, especially regarding Palestinian jurisdiction over Israelis, remains a tangled web of legal ambiguity.
Major Points
- Britain’s new government ends inquiry into ICC’s authority over Netanyahu’s alleged war crimes.
- ICC accused Netanyahu and Gallant, straining US-Israel relations.
- Previous government questioned ICC jurisdiction under Oslo Accords.
- Labour’s Starmer leaves the decision to the ICC, shifting away from Conservative policies.
- ICC investigates potential war crimes by both Israelis and Palestinians since 2021.
Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
