The UK has signalled its readiness to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he enter the country, following an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.
The warrant, issued on Thursday, relates to Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes during conflicts with Hamas in Gaza. This action by the ICC was prompted by an attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
While Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson avoided discussing specific actions regarding Netanyahu’s potential arrest, he emphasized the UK’s commitment to fulfilling its legal obligations under domestic and international law.
The UK, a signatory and ratifier of the Rome Statute the treaty establishing the ICC—has a legal framework through the ICC Act 2001, which mandates the government to act upon requests from the ICC, including the arrest of individuals charged by the court.
Read: Biden Slams ICC’s Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu as “Outrageous”
The spokesperson clarified that the UK would comply with these obligations. However, it remains unclear whether the legal process for arrest starts immediately after the ICC issues the warrant or once the indicted individual arrives in the UK.
Historically, this act has not been invoked, as no ICC-charged individual has ever visited Britain. However, the government affirms its readiness to act following the law if the situation arises.
