The U.K. government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has announced that it will not interfere with the International Criminal Court's request for an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This decision marks a reversal of plans previously announced by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was recently ousted from office.
The ICC's prosecutor, Karim Khan, has accused Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Despite condemnation from Israeli leaders and U.S. President Joe Biden, the U.K. government has chosen not to challenge the court's decision, citing a commitment to the rule of law both domestically and internationally.
Israel, not being a member of the ICC, faces symbolic isolation over the war in Gaza. While warrants have been sought for Netanyahu and Gallant, they do not currently face immediate prosecution. However, the threat of arrest could impact their ability to travel internationally.
Starmer's decision has put the U.K. at odds with the U.S., but has been praised by human rights organizations such as Amnesty International U.K. for supporting efforts to hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable. The issue remains complex for Starmer and his Labour Party, as they navigate public opinion on the ongoing crisis in Gaza and work to address concerns of antisemitism.
Recent actions by Starmer, including restoring funding for the UN's Palestine relief agency and advocating for the recognition of a Palestinian state, reflect a shift in U.K. policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The decision not to challenge the ICC's actions has been welcomed by advocates for international justice.
