Labor government signals policy shift, drops ICC challenge to Netanyahu – Report

By Palestine Chronicle Staff

The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber has reportedly given the UK until 12 July to present its full claim, but it now appears highly unlikely the new government will take any further steps.

The new Labour government in the UK is expected to abandon efforts to delay a decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza, the Guardian reports. reported on Monday.

According to the newspaper, new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke on Sunday with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas about the “ongoing suffering and devastating death toll” in the Gaza Strip and expressed his belief that the Palestinians have an inalienable right to a Palestinian state.

Starmer is also reported to have communicated with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, emphasising the “clear and urgent” need for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“He added that it was also important to ensure long-term conditions for a two-state solution, including providing the PA with the financial resources to operate effectively,” the text of the conversation reads, the Guardian reports.

‘Looming possibility’ – Netanyahu expects ICC arrest warrants soon

Secret request

“In a submission to the International Criminal Court by the previous government, the UK argued that the court had no jurisdiction over Israeli nationals,” the report said, adding that “the UK’s application to bring the action was filed in secret on 10 June but was disclosed two weeks ago by the International Criminal Court.”

The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber has reportedly given the UK until 12 July to present its full claim, but it now appears highly unlikely that the new government will take any further steps to remove any potential delay in the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber ruling on the arrest warrants.

In 2021, the International Criminal Court ruled that it has jurisdiction over all alleged violations of the Rome Statute, the founding charter of the International Criminal Court, in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.

Weapons sales

This may not be the only sign of a change in policy in the UK. According to the Guardian, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has announced that he will launch a review of issues such as the future funding of the Palestinian humanitarian aid agency UNRWA.

Lammy further commented on the legal advice regarding the legality of arms sales to Israel, saying: “I made a solemn commitment in parliament that I would look at the legal assessments and start that process, of course, as soon as I can. I expect that to start next week when I sit down with officials.”

Last month, in a statement issued in Geneva, a group of 30 experts, including several UN special rapporteurs, reiterated their demand for an immediate end to the supply of weapons and ammunition to Israel.

This risk has increased following the recent decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to cease military operations in Rafah, deeming genocide a probable risk.

‘Serious violations’ – UN experts call for immediate end to arms transfers to Israel

They also noted that the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) had also requested arrest warrants for Israeli leaders accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

“In this context, continued arms transfers to Israel can be seen as conscious support for operations that violate international human rights and international humanitarian law, which may result in profit from such assistance,” the experts said.

They stressed that stopping arms transfers should also include indirect transfers through intermediary countries that could ultimately be used by Israeli forces, especially in the ongoing attacks on Gaza.

Arms companies must regularly conduct enhanced human rights checks to ensure their products are not used in ways that violate international law, UN experts say.

(Chronicle of Palestine)