ICC prosecutor sought arrest warrants for Ben-Gvir, Smotrich before going on leave
Khan reportedly prepared to seek these warrants before he went on leave as the UN investigates sexual assault allegations made against him.
International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Karim Khan allegedly planned to issue arrest warrants for National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
Khan reportedly prepared to seek these warrants before he went on leave as the UN investigates sexual assault allegations made against him, the Wall Street Journal noted.
The cases againstSmotrich and Ben-Gvir were based on their positions in expanding the Jewish settlements within the West Bank. The decision to move forward with these cases is to be made by Khan's two deputies. As of yet, it is unknown how they choose to proceed, the Wall Street Journal reported.
If pursued, these cases would escalate the tensions between the ICC and Israel beyond just the war in Gaza, but move it further into the West Bank. The ICC stated that since 2014, when the PA accepted its jurisdiction, the ICC has a mandate to look into the crimes that are committed within the Palestinian territories, the report noted.
The report then went on to discuss the fact that the ICC prosecutors have been trying to discern ifBen-Gvir and Smotrich have committed war crimes that go against the Geneva Convention due to their efforts to expand the Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
A Malaysian lawyer who had worked as a close aide to Khan and accompanied him on multiple overseas trips told United Nations investigators that he coerced her into non-consensual sexual encounters in New York, Paris, and The Hague.
She said she initially remained silent due to fears of professional retaliation and concern over her mother's medical expenses. The allegations were formally reported to senior ICC officials in April 2024, the Wall Street Journal earlier reported.
Khan reportedly learned of the complaint shortly before canceling a scheduled trip to Israel and Gaza. Days later, he publicly announced the court's intention to seek arrest warrants for Netanyahu and then-defense minister Yoav Gallant. The timing raised questions within the court and among diplomats over whether the decision was influenced by growing scrutiny around Khan's personal conduct.
Khan has denied all accusations. His legal team said that his work as a prosecutor was based solely on legal and evidentiary considerations. 'It is categorically untrue that he has engaged in sexual misconduct of any kind,' they said.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Khan pressured the complainant to retract her allegations. He warned her that pursuing the matter would damage both their reputations and undermine the ICC's work. He reportedly told her, 'Think about the Palestinian arrest warrants.'
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