By Abiola Olawale
Several countries, including Italy, the Netherlands, and Canada, have publicly declared their commitment to honour and enforce the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The New Diplomat reports that the ICC had on Thursday issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu and Gallant, accusing both men of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the ongoing war in Gaza.
The court’s charges include allegations of starvation, murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.
It would be recalled that the ongoing war escalated after Hamas launched a cross-border attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
More than 44,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children, have been reportedly killed, and Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been left largely displaced, with many depending on humanitarian aid.
Reacting to the development, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has formally stated that Italy is compelled to arrest Netanyahu should he enter the country.
Crosetto emphasized that, although he disagrees with the notion of equating Israeli leaders with Hamas, Italy, as a member of the ICC, has a legal obligation to adhere to the directives issued by the court.
Also, the Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, Caspar Veldkamp, stated that the country would arrest Netanyahu if he entered Dutch territory.
Veldkamp explained that the country is committed to upholding the principles set out by the Rome Statute, the legal framework of the ICC.
“We won’t engage in non-essential contacts and we will act on the arrest warrants. We fully comply with the Rome Statute of the ICC,” he added.
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also weighed in, describing the arrest warrants as legal and binding, not political.
Borrell stressed that all EU member states must adhere to the court’s ruling, urging an end to the violence in Gaza and highlighting the importance of respecting the ICC’s decisions.
He said, “This decision is a binding decision and all states, all state parties of the court, which include all members of the European Union, are binding to implement this court decision.”
In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has officially announced the country’s commitment to enforcing the arrest warrants issued by the ICC.
Trudeau expressed concern for the ongoing conflict and reiterated Canada’s unwavering dedication to justice and accountability.
He called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, highlighting the urgent need to halt the violence that has led to extensive suffering and loss of life.
Jordan Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the ICC’s decision must be respected and implemented. “Palestinians deserve justice,” he said.
