Israel’s Struggle for International Reputation: Fending Off an ICC Arrest Warrant and Battling Genocide Claims

In a bid to safeguard its international reputation, Israel has joined forces with the United States in an effort to thwart the International Criminal Court (ICC) from issuing an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials, reports from Israeli media suggest. The prospect of an arrest warrant has put immense pressure on Netanyahu, prompting him to engage in continuous talks with relevant parties, particularly the administration of US President Joe Biden.

The possibility of an ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu and other Israeli officials is a matter of great concern for experts, who believe that it could have far-reaching consequences for Israel’s international standing. Along with Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi are also said to be at risk of being arrested by the ICC.

Israel is not a member of the ICC and does not recognize its jurisdiction. However, the court has initiated an investigation into allegations of war crimes committed by Israel during the 2014 campaign against Hamas, settlement programs in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and the treatment of Palestinian protesters in the Gaza Strip.

In another development, South Africa has filed a lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing it of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The ICJ ruled that Israel must fulfill its humanitarian obligations in the Gaza Strip and prevent any acts that may constitute inciting genocide. Despite this ruling, however, the court did not consider South Africa’s claim that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians.