ICC changes decision on Israel detention warrants
Date
6/30/2024 8:41:35 AM
(MENAFN) Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have opted to postpone a crucial decision regarding potential arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, concerning allegations of war crimes in Gaza.
The ICC's decision to delay follows a pivotal move allowing the United Kingdom to present legal arguments challenging the court's jurisdiction over the matter. Court documents, disclosed on Thursday, revealed that the United Kingdom formally requested on June 10 to submit written observations concerning whether the ICC can exercise jurisdiction over Israeli nationals. This request hinges on the complex legal framework outlined in the Oslo Accords, which limits Palestine's jurisdiction over Israelis.
The ongoing investigation by the ICC, initiated in 2021, focuses on alleged crimes committed on Palestinian territory and by Palestinians on Israeli soil. The United Kingdom's submission emphasized that any decision to prosecute Israeli nationals under ICC jurisdiction must carefully consider the constraints laid out in the Oslo Accords, which prohibit Palestinian authorities from exercising criminal jurisdiction over Israelis.
In response to the United Kingdom's legal arguments, the ICC acknowledged the need to address Israel's contention that the Palestinian Authority's accession to the ICC violates the Oslo Accords. This issue remains pivotal as the court weighs the possibility of issuing arrest warrants against Israeli officials, contingent upon future actions by the ICC prosecutor.
"The United Kingdom asserts that under Article 19(1) of the Rome Statute, the Chamber is obligated to make an initial determination of jurisdiction regarding the application for arrest warrants, with the Oslo Accords issue being integral to this determination," stated the ICC in its latest statement on Thursday.
The postponement underscores the intricate legal and geopolitical implications surrounding the ICC's role in adjudicating alleged war crimes in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting ongoing challenges in international legal frameworks and jurisdictional disputes.
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