Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and other nations have declared their intention to enforce arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The ICC issued the warrants on Thursday, accusing both leaders of war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the ongoing Gaza conflict. The charges include allegations of starvation, murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.
This marks the first instance of a sitting leader from a major Western-aligned country facing such accusations from an international tribunal.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto affirmed that Italy would arrest Netanyahu if he entered the country, as required by its ICC obligations. Although Crosetto expressed reservations about equating Israeli leaders with Hamas, he emphasized Italy’s legal commitment to the court’s directives. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani supported this stance, calling for consultations with allies to address the situation appropriately.
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp pledged full compliance with the ICC. He stated that the Netherlands, as an EU member and signatory to the Rome Statute, is bound by the court’s rulings. Veldkamp added that the Netherlands would avoid non-essential diplomatic interactions with Netanyahu.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell reiterated the legal and binding nature of the ICC’s decisions, urging all EU member states to implement the arrest warrants and calling for an end to violence in Gaza.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed Canada’s commitment to enforcing the warrants. As a founding member of the ICC, Canada has long championed international law. Trudeau also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and increased humanitarian aid to the region.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims praised Trudeau’s position as a step toward justice for Gaza and Palestine.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi emphasized the importance of implementing the ICC’s decision, highlighting the need for justice for Palestinians.
The Gaza conflict erupted after Hamas’s cross-border attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The war has caused substantial casualties, with over 44,000 Palestinians—many of them women and children—killed, and left Gaza’s 2.3 million residents largely displaced.
The ICC also issued a warrant for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, but the focus on Netanyahu and Gallant has drawn heightened attention due to their leadership roles.
Countries reaffirming their ICC obligations underscore the growing international demand for accountability amid the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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