After ICC Warrant, Benjamin Netanyahu Faces Arrest In These Countries

Last Updated:November 22, 2024, 18:25 IST

All 124 member countries of the Rome Statute – a 1998 treaty under which the ICC was formed – are now compelled to detain Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in the Gaza war

Benjamin Netanyahu at army base near Mitzpe Ramon | Image/Reuters (File)

Canada, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands among other countries, have said they will comply with the arrest warrants issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by the Criminal Court.

All 124 member countries of the Rome Statute – a 1998 treaty inder which the Criminal Court (ICC) was founded – are now compelled to detain Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in the Gaza war. But, the court cannot enforce its power on the member states and has to rely on cooperation from them for arrests.

Several members of the ICC are allies of Netanyahu-led Israel, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Hungary among others. It is highly unlikely that these countries will arrest if the Israeli prime minister arrives on their soil.

WHICH COUNTRIES WILL ARREST, WHO WELCOMED THE MOVE?

The Netherlands: ‘Line From Government Clear’

According to reports, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, whose country hosts the ICC, has confirmed his country will arrest Netanyahu on its soil. “The line from the government is clear. We are obliged to cooperate with the ICC… we abide 100 per cent by the Rome Statute," he said on Thursday.

Canada: ‘Important To Abide By Law’

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said his country will support and comply with the ICC warrants. “First of all, as Canada has always said, it’s really important that everyone abide by international law. This is something we’ve been calling on from the beginning of the conflict," he said in Toronto, as per reports.

Canada is one of the founding members of the ICC and the Court of Justice (ICJ).

Spain: ‘Respects the decision’

Spain said it would follow the ruling, with official sources telling AFP the country “respects the decision and will conform to its commitments and obligations in compliance with the Rome Statute and international law".

Norway: ‘Confidence’

“It is important that the ICC carries out its mandate in a judicious manner. I have confidence that the court will proceed with the case based on the highest fair trial standards," Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said.

Sweden: ‘Independence and integrity’

“Sweden and the EU support the important work of the court and safeguard its independence and integrity," Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said.

Belgium: ‘Fight against impunity’

“The fight against impunity wherever crimes are committed is a priority for Belgium, which fully supports the work of the (ICC)", Belgium’s foreign ministry said on X. “Those responsible for crimes committed in Israel and Gaza must be prosecuted at the highest level, regardless of who committed them."

European Union: ‘Binding’

“It is not a political decision," said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, speaking during a visit to Jordan. “It is a decision of a court, of a court of justice, of an international court of justice. And the decision of the court has to be respected and implemented."

(With agency inputs)

News world After ICC Warrant, Benjamin Netanyahu Faces Arrest In These Countries