
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
3 hours 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
3 hours 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:


Days of Palestine
3 hours ago
- Days of Palestine
Hamas Surprised of U.S. Envoy's Remarks, Reaffirms Commitment to Ceasefire Deal
DaysofPal- The Hamas Movement expressed surprise late Thursday over remarks made by U.S. envoy Steve Weitecov, describing them as negative and misrepresentative of the group's stance. Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to continuing negotiations and reaching a permanent ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. The movement said in an official statement that its latest response to the mediators' proposal came after extensive consultations with Palestinian factions, friendly nations, and mediators. Moreover, Hamas emphasized its positive engagement with all feedback received, calling it a reflection of its 'sincere commitment to supporting international mediation efforts and constructively engaging with all proposed initiatives.' It added that it was surprised by Weitecov's critical comments, especially given that the mediators themselves had welcomed the group's response and described it as constructive and encouraging toward a comprehensive deal. On Thursday, U.S. envoy Steve Weitecov stated that the United States had decided to pull its negotiating team from Doha for consultations, citing Hamas's latest response as a sign of 'lack of genuine intent to reach an agreement.' Weitecov claimed that 'Hamas is not showing goodwill despite the intense mediation efforts,' noting that Washington is exploring alternative options to secure the release of hostages and restore stability in Gaza. However, Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah disagreed with Weitecov's assessment, calling Hamas's response 'realistic and sincere.' In a post on Facebook, Bahbah wrote: 'Hamas submitted its response this morning to the Israeli proposal on troop deployment and prisoner exchange. It was a genuine and positive reply. Now Israel must engage in serious and swift negotiations to reach a ceasefire. The people of Gaza have had enough of killing, destruction, and hunger.' Meanwhile, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that, in light of Hamas's response, the Israeli negotiation team was recalled from Doha for further consultations in Tel Aviv. Israel's public broadcaster cited an unnamed source saying 'critical decisions must now be made,' and that the move had been coordinated with all relevant parties. On the ground, the Israeli occupation forces continue genocide and famine atrocities against people of Gaza for the 658th consecutive day, which has resulted in ongoing massacres targeting civilians, particularly women and children, and has deepened the humanitarian catastrophe amid a suffocating blockade on the war-torn enclave. Shortlink for this post: