THE UK Government has said it does not believe the International Criminal Court (ICC) has jurisdiction in Israel after it announced it was seeking an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu.
It was announced on Monday that the ICC is seeking arrest warrants for the Israeli Prime Minister, his defence minister Yoav Gallant and a number of senior Hamas figures.
Speaking in the Commons, deputy foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell said the Government wants to bring an end to fighting in Gaza but that seeking these warrants was not the best way to do so.
He said the UK Government continues to believe the best way to do so is to secure a deal for hostages to be freed and “allow for a pause in the fighting”.
Mitchell (below) said: “This Government wants to bring the conflict to a sustainable end as soon as possible, but as so often with conflicts of this nature the question is not about our desire for peace, but rather about the best means of achieving it.
“We continue to believe that the fastest way to end the conflict is to secure a deal which gets the hostages out and allows for a pause in fighting in Gaza.”
He continued to say the UK would then work with international partners “to turn that pause into a sustainable, permanent ceasefire”.
“Building momentum towards a lasting peace will require a number of elements including removing Hamas’ capacity to launch attacks against Israel,” he added.
“A deal with Hamas for a pause in the fighting would involve exchanging hundreds of Palestinian prisoners charged with serious acts of terrorism, in return for the hostages’ release.
“I do not underestimate how difficult this must be for the Israeli government but it is the best way forward we see right now.
“We continue to work closely with the United States and partners in the region to support such a deal, and we do not believe that the ICC prosecutor seeking warrants will help in this regard. As we have said from the outset, we do not think the ICC has jurisdiction in this case.”
Green MP Caroline Lucas described the statement as “outrageous,” saying the UK was “undermining the authority of the ICC”.
“The ICC has jurisdiction in relation to any alleged crimes committed in Gaza and in the West Bank.
“All involved must uphold international law.”
Meanwhile, speaking in the Commons, the SNP’s foreign affairs spokesperson Brendon O’Hara said: “We go down a dangerous road, minister, if we believe that the rule of law is something from which a government can pick and choose.”
He said the SNP “very much welcome” the ICC’s decision to seek the arrest warrants for both senior Hamas and Israeli officials.
“We have always unreservedly condemned the appalling Hamas attacks, the murders and the hostage-taking and we repeat our calls for the immediate release of the hostages.
“Given the ferociously disproportionate Israeli response, one which has seen 35,000 dead, 100,000 injured, tens of thousands of children orphaned, a civilian infrastructure in ruins, the cutting off of food, water, electricity and medical supplies, we also welcome the ICC filing applications for the arrest warrants of both Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the minister of defence Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity,” the MP added.
O’Hara continued: “The ICC say they have evidence, including interviews with survivors and eyewitnesses which show Israel has intentionally and systematically deprived the civilian population of Gaza with what they need to survive and they refer specifically to Israel using starvation as a weapon of war and intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population, all acts which constitute a crime against humanity.”
He continued: "For eight months, this Government has told us it cannot make an assessment on breaches of international humanitarian law. But it has today, because it suits them, made an immediate assessment on the decision of the ICC, whose panel of experts is predominantly made up of UK lawyers.
"And they've done so simply because it doesn't agree with it. It is shameful and unforgivable that for eight months this Government has chosen to deny the evidence of their own eyes and given political cover and munitions to Israel.
"And we have to assume that if today doesn't put an end to the UK licensing of arms exports to Israel, then sadly, absolutely nothing will."
Following the news from the ICC, the SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn (above) warned the UK is “complicit” in the death of thousands in Gaza.
“Both the UK Government and the Labour Party must stand by international law and, whilst this application for an arrest warrant is determined, confirm that they will both fully support the final determination that is made by the court.”
The Scottish Greens meanwhile have called for Foreign Secretary David Cameron to resign for backing Netanyahu.
