AG, officials press Netanyahu to form Gaza inquiry as only way to prevent ICC arrest warrants

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirms reports that has held a meeting at his office with senior ministers and diplomatic, defense and legal officials to discuss how to deal with the threat of arrest warrants that could potentially be issued against him and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by the International Criminal Court.

Netanyahu’s office says Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara pushed for the formation of a state commission of inquiry to examine the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

“But even in her opinion, there is no certainty that forming such a commission will lead to the cancelation of the request to issue the warrants,” it says. “Therefore, several additional options were discussed in the meeting.”

Professional officials were united in pushing for the formation of an independent commission of inquiry as the only way to prevent warrants from being issued, according to Channel 12.

The network says the arrest warrants can be issued at any time starting August 26, when the prosecutor is set to file his response to various reservations, but cites unnamed Israeli estimations that they could come in mid-September.

While the discussion ended without an immediate decision, the Ynet news site reports that Netanyahu may announce a government commission of inquiry in the coming days, citing unnamed Netanyahu associates.

A government commission of inquiry is distinct from a state commission of inquiry, which is the most independent type of panel capable of probing government conduct. Netanyahu vehemently opposes forming such a panel to investigate the government failures on and before October 7 — it is unclear whether it would also examine the Gaza humanitarian conditions — since its members would be appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice, a role currently filled in a temporary capacity by Uzi Vogelman, seen as adversarial to the premier.

Netanyahu’s office claims the Ynet report is “fake news” and that no decision has been made, even though the report didn’t say a decision has been made.