ICC Rejects Israel's Plea to Cancel Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu
The plea also demand ICC to suspend the court's ongoing investigation into alleged war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories.
In a decision released Wednesday, the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber I dismissed Israel's dual petition, submitted on May 9, 2025.
The petition had sought either the withdrawal or invalidation of the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, and a halt to the Office of the Prosecutor's investigation into alleged crimes committed in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
The Chamber reaffirmed the court's jurisdiction over the Palestinian territories, rejecting Israel's central claim that the ICC lacks legal authority over the matter.
The judges emphasized that the court's prior determinations on jurisdiction remain valid and unaltered by an April 24 ruling by the Appeals Chamber, which had remanded an earlier procedural decision back to the Pre-Trial Chamber for further consideration.
'The Appeals Chamber's judgment of 24 April 2025 cannot be interpreted as undermining the Court's jurisdiction,' the ruling stated.
The Chamber also clarified that under Article 19(7) of the Rome Statute, suspension of an investigation is only applicable when a state formally challenges the admissibility of a case, not merely its jurisdiction. The judges noted that Israel had not initiated such a challenge.
In addition, the court denied Israel's request to exclude the State of Palestine from submitting views in the proceedings. It ruled that no additional submissions were necessary at this stage, as sufficient information had already been provided.
The ruling marks a significant reaffirmation of the ICC's authority in investigating crimes in the Palestinian territories.
The court first established its jurisdiction in a February 2021 decision, recognizing Palestine as a State Party to the Rome Statute and confirming that its jurisdiction extends to Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, territories occupied by Israel since 1967.
The ICC Office of the Prosecutor opened a formal investigation into the situation in Palestine on March 3, 2021.
On November 21, 2024, the Pre-Trial Chamber issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, citing reasonable grounds to believe they bear responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The warrants were the result of a years-long investigation into Israel's conduct in the occupied territories.
Israel had challenged the court's jurisdiction under Article 19(2) of the Rome Statute on September 23, 2024, but an earlier ruling dismissing the objection was annulled by the Appeals Chamber in April 2025. That decision paved the way for the substantive judgment delivered this week.
Israel, which is not a party to the Rome Statute, has consistently rejected the legitimacy of the ICC's investigation, calling it politically motivated and legally baseless.
The latest ruling, however, signals that the court will continue moving forward with its examination of the situation in Palestine.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=65836
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Days of Palestine
a day ago
- Days of Palestine
UN Aid Chief Demands Evidence over Israeli claims OCHA linked to Hamas
DaysofPal- UN aid chief Tom Fletcher has formally demanded that the Israeli authorities present concrete evidence to support recent allegations that staff from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) have ties to Hamas. In a letter to the UN Security Council, Fletcher challenged remarks made by Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, who earlier this week accused OCHA of abandoning neutrality and claimed that some of its employees were affiliated with the Palestinian group that governs the Gaza Strip. 'I expect the Israeli authorities to immediately share any evidence that led them to make such claims to the council,' Fletcher wrote. He noted that this was the first time 'Israel' had raised such serious accusations against OCHA and warned of the security implications for humanitarian personnel on the ground. Danon had announced that Israel would impose heightened scrutiny on OCHA staff, including conducting security vetting on hundreds of employees and limiting their entry visas to a month. However, no documentation or evidence was provided to substantiate the claims. Fletcher defended OCHA's operations, emphasizing that the agency adheres strictly to its humanitarian principles, which include neutrality, impartiality, and independence. He also clarified that as the de facto governing authority in Gaza, Hamas oversees all administrative and logistical systems, making contact with its institutions inevitable for aid delivery. The Israeli accusations come amid escalating tensions between the Israeli government and several UN agencies. In recent months, 'Israel' has refused visa renewals for senior officials at OCHA, UNRWA, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), moves widely seen by UN officials as efforts to undermine humanitarian oversight. The standoff unfolds as Gaza faces catastrophic conditions under a months-long Israeli blockade and continued Israeli genocide against civilians in the Gaza Strip. According to UN agencies, over 59,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, and humanitarian groups warn that famine, mass displacement, and healthcare collapse are pushing the enclave toward total societal breakdown. International aid officials fear that undermining the credibility and operations of humanitarian agencies like OCHA could further obstruct the already fragile flow of aid into Gaza. Fletcher called for renewed cooperation and respect for the essential work of humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones. Shortlink for this post:
Days of Palestine
2 days ago
- Days of Palestine
France to Recognize Palestine, Macron Announces
DaysofPal — French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France will officially recognize the State of Palestine, a major diplomatic shift amid mounting global outrage over Gaza's humanitarian catastrophe. In a post on social media, Macron said the formal declaration will take place at the United Nations General Assembly this September. 'The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved,' he wrote. While Macron initially backed Israel following October 7, he has since voiced growing frustration over Israel's devastating war on Gaza, which has left tens of thousands dead and pushed the territory toward famine. 'Given its historic commitment to a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the state of Palestine,' Macron said, calling peace 'possible.' He also shared a letter sent to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, reaffirming France's support for Palestinian self-determination. Palestinian official Hussein al-Sheikh welcomed the move, describing it as a reflection of France's commitment to international law and Palestinian rights. The announcement was praised across Palestinian society, with residents expressing hope that other nations would now follow France's lead. Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic movement the Gaza Strip, also hailed the decision as 'a positive step in the right direction' and called on other countries—particularly in Europe—to recognize Palestinian statehood despite Israeli objections. Shortlink for this post:
Days of Palestine
2 days ago
- Days of Palestine
Journalist Death Toll Rises to 232 Amid Ongoing Israeli Assault
DaysofPal — The Government Media Office in Gaza reported Thursday that the number of journalists killed in the Strip has reached 232 since the start of what it calls Israel's genocidal war, following the death of photojournalist Adam Abu Harbeed. In an official statement, the office confirmed Abu Harbeed's death and noted that he had worked with several local media outlets as a photographer. 'The number of journalists killed has increased to 232 since the start of the genocide war on the Gaza Strip, after the death of journalist Adam Abu Harbeed was confirmed,' the statement said. Gaza officials condemned Israel's deliberate and systematic targeting of media workers, calling it a direct attack on press freedom and truth-telling in wartime. The Media Office called on international journalist bodies—including the International Federation of Journalists and the Federation of Arab Journalists—to speak out against the ongoing killing of Palestinian journalists. It also held Israel and its allies responsible for the killings. 'We hold the Israeli occupation, the United States administration, and the countries involved in the genocide — including the United Kingdom, Germany, and France — fully responsible for committing these heinous and brutal crimes,' the statement concluded. Shortlink for this post:
