Israel made a groundbreaking move by submitting confidential memoranda to the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding arrest warrants requested against top officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders. This marked the first time Israel engaged with the ICC, recognizing its legitimacy. The prosecutor withdrew an arrest warrant for a Hamas leader after confirming his death.
Influencing decisions
Since Palestine’s ICC accession in 2015, Israel had not engaged officially until now. Various parties, including states and think tanks, have intervened to prevent arrest warrants against Israeli officials. Israel’s lawyers have been in constant contact with the Court in a bid to sway its decisions. The ICC intervenes when a state fails to prosecute war crime perpetrators.
The submission of memoranda comes ahead of Netanyahu’s UN General Assembly speech. This move is crucial in influencing the ICC’s decision-making process. With Israel finally engaging with the ICC after years of avoidance, it marks a significant shift in the legal battle involving Palestinians.