Official court filings or announcements by the Israeli government

ICC Issues Historic Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Former Defense Chief Over War Crimes Allegations, Including Starvation as Warfare

Dec 30, 2024, 09:10 AM

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense chief, marking a historic development in international law. This move challenges the traditional head-of-state immunity and signifies a shift towards holding leaders accountable for alleged war crimes, including starvation as a method of warfare. Although Israel is not a member of the ICC, the court asserts its jurisdiction due to the Palestinian territories being an ICC member. This situation raises concerns about selective justice, as over 90% of ICC indictments have historically targeted African leaders, prompting discussions about the court's legitimacy as an impartial arbiter. The ICC's role as a court of last resort is contingent upon its complementary jurisdiction, which allows it to intervene only when national courts fail to act.