Italy, Netherlands, Canada to enforce ICC order against Israeli Prime Minister
November 22, 2024
By Samuel Ogunsona
Italy, the Netherlands, and Canada have announced their intention to comply with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The ICC issued the warrants, accusing Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war in Gaza.
According to Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, Italy would be obliged to arrest Netanyahu if he visited the country. Crosetto expressed his disagreement with equating Netanyahu and Gallant with Hamas but acknowledged Italy’s obligation as an ICC member to act on the warrants.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani echoed support for the ICC, emphasizing that its role must remain legal, not political.
Tajani added that Italy would consult with allies on how to proceed.
The ICC panel alleged Netanyahu and Gallant are responsible for war crimes, including starvation, and crimes against humanity such as murder, persecution, and inhumane acts.
The war in Gaza has caused widespread devastation, displacing nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and leaving most reliant on aid. Over 44,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have been killed during the conflict, according to local health authorities.
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp confirmed that the Netherlands would arrest Netanyahu if he entered Dutch territory.
The EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, described the arrest warrants as legal, not political, and binding for all EU member states.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also affirmed Canada’s support for the ICC warrants, stating that Canada, as a founding member of the ICC, would uphold international law.
Trudeau confirmed that Canada would comply with the ICC rulings and reiterated the need for a ceasefire and a two-state solution. He also called for the release of hostages and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.