The Worldwide Prison Court docket (ICC) arrest warrant in opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has positioned the nations of the European Union in a diplomatic dilemma. Whereas Italy stated it’s obliged to abide by the ICC ruling and arrest Netanyahu, another European Union member nations confirmed a extra cautious method.
Italy, a member of the ICC, has acknowledged its authorized obligation to adjust to the arrest warrant. Protection Minister Guido Crosetto acknowledged that Italy must arrest Netanyahu if he entered Italian territory.
Nonetheless, Crosetto stated it was “incorrect” of the ICC to place Netanyahu and former Israeli protection minister Yoav Gallant on the identical stage as Hamas.
FRANCE AND GERMANY: CAREFUL APPROACH
France adopted a cautious tone, emphasizing its respect for the unbiased work of the ICC, however with out confirming any dedication to arrest Netanyahu.
“France takes be aware of this choice. Trustworthy to its long-standing dedication to supporting worldwide justice, it reiterates its dedication to the unbiased work of the Court docket, in accordance with the Rome Statute,” the spokesperson for the Ministry of Overseas Affairs stated in an announcement. Exteriors, Christophe Lemoine.
Lemoine described the ICC order as a procedural formality quite than a last ruling.
Germany, one other staunch ally of Israel, maintained its current insurance policies, together with arms deliveries to Israel, unaffected by the ICC choice.
HUNGARY AND SLOVENIA
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban overtly rejected the ICC ruling, calling it “incorrect” and providing Netanyahu a assure of protected passage if he visited Hungary.
Hungary at the moment presides over the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union.
Against this, Slovenia promised full compliance with ICC arrest warrants. Prime Minister Robert Golob confirmed Slovenia’s intention to defend worldwide justice, reinforcing its assist for Palestine, a place per its earlier recognition of Palestinian statehood.
European Union international coverage chief Josep Borrell stated implementing ICC selections is a authorized obligation quite than a political alternative.
In the meantime, non-EU states similar to the USA criticized the ICC, with US President Joe Biden denouncing the orders as “outrageous” and emphasizing unwavering assist for Israel.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NETANYAHU
The ICC arrest warrants considerably restrict Netanyahu’s worldwide mobility. Whereas not all nations will act as ordered, the specter of arrest looms over Netanyahu’s potential visits to the ICC’s 124 member states.
Final yr, Russian President Vladimir Putin discovered himself in the same scenario after the ICC issued an arrest warrant in opposition to him for conflict crimes in Ukraine. Putin then prevented touring to South Africa for a BRICS summit. South Africa, as a member of the ICC, was compelled to arrest him if he confirmed up on the summit.
