Israel has called for the cancellation of the international arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to documentation made public on Monday.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) should also withdraw the arrest warrant against former defence minister Joav Galant, said Israel’s submission to the court in The Hague, which was published on its website.
In November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for the Israeli head of government and the former minister for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Gaza Strip since October 8, 2023.
This followed the previous day’s mass attack by gunmen of the Palestinian militant group Hamas and its allies on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people.
Arrest warrants were also issued for Hamas leaders, but were cancelled after their deaths were confirmed following Israeli military action.
Israel does not recognize the court and has lodged an appeal. It now wants to have the arrest warrants cancelled until a decision has been made on the appeal.
First decision on appeal rejected
Israel’s appeal was rejected at the first instance. In April, ICC judges found an error of law in the appeal and ordered a new ruling.
However, this had no effect on the arrest warrants. It is unclear when the judges will decide on the appeal again.
The arrest warrant may restrict Netanyahu’s freedom of movement. The court itself does not have the power to arrest him, although its contracting states are obliged to do so if he enters their territory.
The Israeli leader recently visited Hungary, a state party to the court. Hungary refused to arrest the prime minister and announced its withdrawal from the ICC.
The ICC’s Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan has been investigating alleged war crimes in the Gaza war for several months. The Palestinian territories are a state party to the court.
In 2021, the ICC had already determined that it also has jurisdiction over territories occupied by Israel since 1967.
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