From the Liveblog of
Thursday, April 18, 2024
PMO holds ’emergency’ debate amid fears ICC could issue arrest warrants for PM, others over alleged crimes in Gaza – TV report
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Israel is increasingly worried by the prospect of the International Criminal Court in The Hague issuing arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli political and military leaders for alleged breaches of international law in Gaza, Channel 12 reports.
It says three ministers and several government legal experts held an ’emergency discussion” at the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday regarding how to fend off the feared imminent issuing of such arrest warrants.
The meeting was convened after information reached Jerusalem indicating that such warrants could be issued in the near future, the report says.
Netanyahu also raised the concern in his meetings this week with Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Cameron and Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
At Tuesday’s discussion, with the participation of Foreign Minister Israel Katz, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, it was decided that Israel would also seek assistance in other influential international diplomatic circles to try to thwart the effort, the report says.
Jerusalem reportedly fears the arrest warrants would be sought on the basis of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with countries that claim Israel is breaching international law and the 4th Geneva Convention said to be leading the effort.
The Times of Israel Community.