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War in Gaza: what does Benyamin Netanyahu risk after requesting an arrest warrant?
War in Gaza: what does Benyamin Netanyahu risk after requesting an arrest warrant?
(FRANCEINFO)
There are numerous international reactions following the request made, Monday, May 20, by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant against Benyamin Netanyahu and the highest officials of Hamas. But what does the Israeli Prime Minister risk?
This is the first time that an elected official from a democratic country risks an arrest warrant from international justice. The International Criminal Court (ICC) says it has examined Israel’s conduct of its war in Gaza over the past seven months. She allegedly collected evidence, and the Attorney General, Karim Khan, claims that war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed. “These crimes include starvation as a method of warfare, intentionally causing great suffering, serious harm to body or health, or cruel treatment, intentional homicide or murder.”he explains.
The court also accuses Hamas of war crimes or crimes against humanity, and requests arrest warrants for three of its leaders. What does Benyamin Netanyahu risk? If the three ICC judges issue the arrest warrant, the Israeli leader could be arrested if he travels to one of the 123 countries that recognize the ICC. He would become a pariah and face international trial. “I reject with disgust the Criminal Court’s comparison between Israel, a democratic country, and the mass murderers of Hamas.”reacted Benyamin Netanyahu.
In a press release, Paris said on Tuesday, May 21, that it supported the Criminal Court, and claimed to have alerted Israel for several months. The United States, which like Israel does not recognize the ICC, considered the prosecutor’s decision scandalous.
