British MPs react to 'shocking' MEE report of Cameron threatening ICC over Israel probe
Several British parliamentarians have responded to Middle East Eye's revelation on Monday that the former UK foreign secretary privately threatened to defund and withdraw from the International Criminal Court if it issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders.
David Cameron, then foreign secretary in Rishi Sunak's Conservative government, made the threat in April 2024 in a heated phone call with Karim Khan, the British chief prosecutor of the court.
Asked about Cameron's threat, Emily Thornberry, a senior Labour MP and the chair of parliament's foreign affairs select committee, told MEE: "I've always believed that when making difficult decisions, international law must always be our guide."
Labour MP Naz Shah called the news "shocking" and said she would be "raising this matter directly" with the Foreign Office.
"No rules-based system can function with legitimacy if it does not apply the rules equally," she told MEE.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
Cameron told Khan over the phone on 23 April 2024 that the UK would 'defund the court and withdraw from the Rome Statute' if the ICC issued warrants for Israeli leaders.
Khan replied that 'if this were to occur then we would have to accept that the rules-based system would be dead'.
Exclusive: David Cameron threatened to withdraw UK from ICC over Israel war crimes probe Read More »
This week MEE revealed details of the call based on information from a number of sources – including former staff in Khan's office familiar with the conversation and who have seen the minutes of the meeting.
Cameron, a former British prime minister who was appointed foreign secretary by Sunak in November 2023, told Khan that applying for warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant would be 'like dropping a hydrogen bomb'.
He said Khan was 'on the brink of making a huge mistake" and that "the world is not ready for this".
According to MEE's sources, the foreign secretary spoke aggressively and repeatedly shouted over Khan, who had to ask to be able to complete his points.
Approached by MEE for a response to the exchange with Cameron, Karim Khan said: 'I have no comment to make at this time.'
The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office declined to comment.
Cameron, who currently sits as a Conservative peer in the House of Lords, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
'Cameron must be investigated'
Labour MP Kim Johnson told MEE: "This revelation is a damning indictment of the previous Conservative government's disregard for international law."
She added: "This Labour government must urgently and unequivocally distance itself from this position.
"It must reaffirm its commitment to the ICC and uphold its rulings, including the arrest warrants that the previous foreign secretary sought to undermine."
Labour MP Zarah Sultana said on social media platform X that "David Cameron — and every UK minister complicit in arming and enabling Israel's genocide in Gaza - must be investigated for war crimes."
David Cameron — and every UK minister complicit in arming and enabling Israel's genocide in Gaza — must be investigated for war crimes. https://t.co/YYcsmFg1BN — Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) June 9, 2025
Less than a month after the call with Cameron, Khan announced that he was seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his then-defence minister, Yoav Gallant, as well as for Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh and Mohammed Deif.
Independent MP Ayoub Khan called for a parliamentary investigation into MEE's report.
He said that "political influence must never be allowed to shape judicial outcomes. The parliamentary Code of Conduct is unequivocal on this point, and rightly so."
He added: "If these allegations are accurate, they represent not just a breach of that code but a breach of public trust and the moral authority of Britain's commitment to international law.
"I urge the relevant parliamentary standards committees to investigate this matter with the seriousness it deserves."
Former Labour leader and independent MP Jeremy Corbyn told MEE that "not one of the former ministers involved in the last Conservative government has so far supported our call for an inquiry into the UK's complicity in the Gaza genocide.
"This shocking revelation could explain why."
Zack Polanski, the deputy leader of the Green Party who is standing to be the next leader, added: "It's been clear for all to see that both the former and current government have stood with the oppressors, not the marginalised.
"That's why I support Jeremy Corbyn's call for an independent inquiry."
Concerning new allegations, which suggest the last foreign secretary tried to shield Israeli leaders from facing justice for war crimes.
We need an independent inquiry into the UK's role in the Gaza genocide.https://t.co/JROBHyqtDo — Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP (@BellRibeiroAddy) June 9, 2025
Independent MP Iqbal Mohamed said: "If Lord Cameron did in fact issue such a threat, it would represent a grave lapse in judgement and a betrayal of our commitment to justice and international law.
"These allegations deserve urgent and transparent scrutiny in Parliament."
Independent MP Shockat Adam added that "it is outrageous for ministers to interfere in the workings of the international justice system - particularly as the UK is one of its main architects."
On 10 June 2024 the Conservative government filed an objection to Khan's application to the ICC, arguing that the court did not have jurisdiction over Israeli nationals – a position the Israeli government has held for years.
The next month, Keir Starmer's newly elected Labour government announced it would drop the objection.
The ICC issued the warrants that November.
Sanctioned by the US
Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy said on social media platform X that the report about Cameron's threat was "concerning" and backed calls for an "independent inquiry into the UK's role in the Gaza genocide".
Scottish National Party MP Chris Law said on X: "Shocking that the UK Tory govt tried to undermine the International Criminal Court for investigating those responsible for war crimes in Gaza.
"However not seeing much better under Labour."
Shocking that the UK Tory govt tried to undermine the International Criminal Court for investigating those responsible for war crimes in Gaza. However not seeing much better under Labour #GazaGenocide https://t.co/Wd3nK9UkhV — Chris Law MP (@ChrisLawSNP) June 9, 2025
As of February, Khan has been sanctioned by US President Donald Trump because of the arrest warrants issued for Netanyahu and Gallant.
The prosecutor has had his US visa revoked and his wife and children have been banned from travelling to the US. His bank accounts have been frozen in the UK.
The warrants for Israeli leaders are currently in the hands of two deputy prosecutors.
Last Thursday, the US imposed further sanctions on four ICC judges whom it accused of being involved in 'illegitimate actions targeting the United States and Israel'.
Neither the US nor Israel are parties to the Rome Statute and have long rejected the authority of the court.
In a statement, the ICC said it deplored the sanctions against Khan and the four judges. It said it stood fully behind its personnel and would continue its work undeterred.
The court recently ordered that any further warrants issued in relation to its Palestine investigation cannot be publicised.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Middle East Eye
an hour ago
- Middle East Eye
Sudanese army accuses Libya's Haftar of joint border attack with RSF
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have accused Libyan militia leader Khalifa Haftar of taking part in a joint border attack with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in its war with Khartoum. The attack is the first time direct involvement of Libyan fighters in the conflict in Sudan has been alleged. SAF spokesman Nabil Abdullah said in a statement the attack took place on Tuesday on the borders of Sudan, Libya, and Egypt. Abdullah said Haftar's forces had attacked army positions in coordination with the RSF, denouncing a "blatant aggression against Sudan" aimed at taking control of the border region. Neither the RSF or Haftar have responded to the allegations. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The Sudanese foreign ministry accused the UAE, which backs Haftar as well as the RSF, of supporting the joint attack, calling it a "dangerous escalation" and a "blatant violation of international law". Abu Dhabi denies supporting the paramilitary group. "Sudan's border with Libya has long served as a corridor for arms and mercenaries supporting the [RSF] funded by the Emirates," it said in a statement. UK police handed dossier of war crimes committed by RSF in Sudan Read More » The RSF has been at war with its erstwhile allies the SAF since April 2023. In recent weeks, fighting has surged in key strongholds, especially in Darfur and Kordofan, where the RSF is pressing ahead with plans to form a parallel government. Both sides have deployed drones, air raids, intelligence units, and special forces in increasingly aggressive operations, particularly in Nyala - capital of South Darfur and a strategic RSF centre - and Port Sudan, the current seat of the SAF-aligned administration. The SAF has launched sustained air strikes on military installations in Nyala in recent days, with a focus on the city's international airport. Sudan's war has displaced millions and killed tens of thousands, while the RSF has been accused of extensive use of sexual violence. Across the country, nearly 25 million people are suffering dire food insecurity according to the World Food Programme.
Middle East Eye
an hour ago
- Middle East Eye
Indonesia signs $10bn deal to buy 48 Turkish Kaan fighter jets
Indonesia will purchase 48 Kaan fifth-generation fighter jets from Turkey in a deal valued at more than $10bn, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday. The agreement was signed at the Indo Defence 2025 exhibition in Jakarta, which has been attended by Turkish defence firms. The deal will span 10 years and includes the co-production of some Kaan jet components in Indonesia. Erdogan thanked his Indonesian counterpart, Prabowo Subianto, describing the agreement as the largest defence industry export deal in Turkey's history. Yusuf Akbaba, a Turkish defence industry expert, said the deal is a landmark for the Kaan project, noting that Ankara would have struggled to fund the development of the fifth-generation aircraft alone. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters 'To reduce costs, it is essential to increase the number of orders,' Akbaba told Middle East Eye. 'As the number of units increases, the per-unit price of the aircraft decreases.' Akbaba believes Indonesia's participation could attract interest from Islamic countries and other states in the Asian market. 'Countries like Qatar, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, and a few others are also considering acquiring the aircraft,' he said. 'After this order from Indonesia, procurement processes in those countries may also accelerate.' Azerbaijan announced last year that it would participate in the project, while reports in January indicated that Saudi Arabia was interested in becoming a partner, although that has not yet materialised. For Jakarta, the Kaan would help to replace its dated F-16 fleet and also fill a gap left after it parted ways with South Korea on its KF-21 project. Experts say the KF-21 is not a genuine fifth-generation aircraft, while the Kaan features some sixth-generation capabilities, such as AI integration and drone teaming. Turkey has been developing a fifth-generation aircraft since 2010, but the project accelerated after Ankara was removed from the F-35 programme by the US in 2019 over its purchase of the Russian-made S-400 missile system. The Kaan made its maiden flight in February 2024, temporarily using two General Electric F110-GE-129 engines, the same as those found in Turkish F-16s. Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), which is leading the Kaan project, is working on a locally produced engine for the aircraft. The company aims to deliver the first plane to the Turkish Air Force by the end of 2028, although some analysts predict this might be delayed until 2030. The first 10 Kann Block-1 fighter jets are scheduled to be delivered to the Turkish Air Force between 2030 and 2033.
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Bezalel Smotrich blocks Israeli and Palestinian banks from working together
Israel's Finance Minister has cancelled a waiver allowing Israeli banks to work with Palestinian counterparts in a move that could paralyse the Palestinian economy. It comes hours after the UK and other countries imposed sanctions on him and another hard-line minister. Bezalel Smotrich had threatened in May last year to cut the vital connection between Israel and Palestinian banks in the occupied West Bank in retaliation for the recognition of the State of Palestine by three European countries. A statement issued by the Israeli Finance Minister's office on Wednesday read: "Against the backdrop of the Palestinian Authority's delegitimisation campaign against the State of Israel internationally, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has instructed Accountant General CPA Yali Rothenberg to cancel the indemnity provided to correspondent banks dealing with banks operating in Palestinian Authority territories." The Palestinian financial and banking system is dependent on the regular renewal of the waiver. It protects Israeli banks from potential legal action relating to transactions with their Palestinian counterparts, for instance in relation to financing terrorism. The move comes after the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Norway announced sanctions on Mr Smotrich and Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over links to "extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights", the countries said in a joint statement. This is not the first time Mr Smotrich has sought to punish Palestinians for international condemnation of Israel's occupation and actions. After Norway, Ireland, Spain, Armenia and Slovenia announced their recognition of a Palestinian state last year, the minister announced Israel would recognise five illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, a territory he has repeatedly called for his country to annex. In July, G7 countries urged Israel to "take necessary action" to ensure the continuity of Palestinian financial systems. It came after US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that "to cut Palestinian banks from Israeli counterparts would create a humanitarian crisis". The overwhelming majority of financial exchanges in the West Bank are in shekels, Israel's national currency, because the Palestinian Authority does not have a central bank under which it could print its own currency. But Israeli banks were continuing to work with Palestinian branches because of the waiver. The UN has warned that 'unilaterally cutting off Palestinian banks from the global banking system would be a violation of the fundamental principles of international law'. This pressure had until now pushed the Israeli government to continue agreeing to short extensions of the waiver, but far-right ministers such as Mr Smotrich and Mr Ben-Gvir have long objected.
