Israel informed the International Criminal Court that it will challenge arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for his actions in the Gaza war, the prime minister’s office reported Wednesday.
The office also said Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham had updated Netanyahu. “about a series of measures that he is promoting in the United States Congress against the International Criminal Court and against the countries that would cooperate with it”.
The ICC last week issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his former defense chief, and Hamas military leader Ibrahim Al-Masri, known as Mohammed Deif.for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict.
Israel has rejected the court’s jurisdiction based in The Hague and denies war crimes in Gaza.
““Israel today submitted a notification to the International Criminal Court of its intention to appeal to the court, along with a demand to delay the execution of the arrest warrants.”Netanyahu’s office said.
Court spokesman Fadi El Abdallah told reporters that if appeal requests were filed, it would be up to the judges to decide on the matter.
The court’s rules allow the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution suspending or defers an investigation or prosecution for one year, with the possibility of renewal annually.
After the issuance of an arrest warrant, The country involved or a named person may also challenge the court’s jurisdiction or the admissibility of the case.
