Israel asks ICC to withdraw arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant

Israel has asked judges at the International Criminal Court to withdraw arrest warrants it issued for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant, while the ICC reviews Israeli challenges to its jurisdiction over the conduct of the Gaza war.

Documents published on the ICC website late on Sunday also show Israel has asked the court to order the prosecution to suspend its investigation into alleged atrocity crimes in the Palestinian territories.

The documents are dated May 9 and signed by Israeli Deputy Attorney General Gilad Noam.

The ICC issued arrest warrants on November 21 for Netanyahu and Gallant over alleged war crimes amid the war in Gaza. It also issued a warrant for Hamas leader Mohammed Deif over crimes against humanity during the October 7, 2023, onslaught and beyond, but withdrew it following credible reports of his death.

Israel, which rejects the jurisdiction of the Hague-based court and denies war crimes in Gaza, is contesting the warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant.

In April, the ICC’s appeals chamber ruled that the judges of the pre-trial chamber, which issued the warrants, must review Israel’s objections regarding the court’s jurisdiction and the legality of the arrest warrants.

It is unclear what form the ordered review will take, and there are no specific deadlines set for decisions on Israel’s request that warrants be withdrawn and the investigation halted.