Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu altered his travel plans amid fears of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). He canceled visits to the Czech Republic and Hungary on his way to the United States to address Congress, opting for a direct flight to avoid potential legal complications. The ICC recently issued warrants accusing Netanyahu and Israel’s Defense Minister of war crimes, sparking outrage and divisions within the court. This move not only affects Netanyahu’s travel but also highlights the political and diplomatic challenges faced by countries involved in ICC proceedings.
According to reports from the Times of Israel and Kan public TV, the contentious arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) has actually changed the travel schedules of Israeli officials.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu considered, then decided against, visiting the Czech Republic and Hungary on the way to the United States when he travels to address Congress on July 24, the Kan public broadcaster reports, amid fears the International Criminal Court was readying an arrest warrant against him,” reports The Times of Israel.
When the prime minister’s aircraft, known as the “Wing of Zion,” is fully loaded with passengers, it must stop en route to North America.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, has reportedly chosen to travel light to complete the transatlantic flight in a single trip. This will spare the European nation that is hosting the layover from having to refuel, which could have been politically unpleasant.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Netanyahu are the subjects of arrest warrants that were revealed in May by ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan. The International Criminal Court accused the two of “causing extermination, causing starvation as a method of war including the denial of humanitarian relief supplies, deliberately targeting civilians in conflict.”
Tel Aviv and Washington expressed their displeasure and criticism of it right away. According to some reports, the measure caused division among the ICC’s employees in The Hague:
The ICC prosecutor reportedly blindsided his own staff when he announced the pursuit of arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, in addition to Hamas senior leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh.
Khan’s office said the prosecutor proceeded with his request because he had not received evidence from Israel demonstrating “genuine action” to address alleged crimes.
The court depends on each signatory nation to the Rome Statute to carry out its decision, even though it lacks an enforcement mechanism.
Apart from influencing the possible movements of ‘wanted’ authorities, the warrant is mainly symbolic. However, it poses a political conundrum and can cause tension in some countries’ ties.
For instance, to prevent placing the South African government in a delicate situation, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is also the target of an earlier ICC arrest warrant, recently canceled an in-person trip to a BRICS conference in South Africa.
Recently, GreatGameIndia reported that the UK government’s intervention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has delayed a decision on whether to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
