UK Warns ICC of Withdrawal if Arrest Warrant Issued for Netanyahu
December 12, 2025270 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) has disclosed that it faced significant pressure from the British government, including a threat to withdraw financial support and exit the Rome Statute, should it issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This information was revealed in an official memo from the court's prosecutor, Karim Khan, as part of his justification for pursuing legal action against Israeli officials.
A Warning from the UK
In the memo, Khan detailed a call he received on April 23, 2024, from an unnamed British official, who issued a clear warning regarding the implications of pursuing arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Reports suggest that the caller may have been then-Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who characterized the potential actions as "disproportionate."
U.S. Pressure and Potential Consequences
The pressure was not confined to the UK. Khan also reported receiving a warning from a U.S. official in April 2024, who cautioned about "catastrophic consequences" if the ICC proceeded with the warrants. Senator Lindsey Graham further indicated on May 1 that executing these warrants could provoke Hamas to harm Israeli hostages.
Khan noted that there was no indication of Israel's willingness to cooperate with the court or alter its conduct during this time, despite multiple requests to postpone proceedings.
Addressing Personal Allegations
Khan responded to allegations of sexual misconduct that emerged on May 2, clarifying that a third party had filed the complaint without the consent of the alleged victim, who chose not to pursue the matter, resulting in its closure. He stated that anonymous allegations resurfaced on the platform "X" in October, but emphasized that these claims were unrelated to his legal decisions, which were made prior to the allegations coming to light.
Legal Strategy and Expert Team Formation
The prosecutor indicated he found the initial response from his team regarding the Israeli request to dismiss the case inadequate and insisted on crafting a comprehensive 22-page response. He also announced the formation of a team of senior international law experts to evaluate the court's jurisdiction and explore the possibility of pursuing actions against Netanyahu, Gallant, and three Hamas officials.
Concerns Over Court Independence
These developments underscore the intense pressure the ICC faces in cases involving the Middle East, raising ongoing concerns about the court's ability to uphold its independence amid political threats from powerful nations.
A Warning from the UK
In the memo, Khan detailed a call he received on April 23, 2024, from an unnamed British official, who issued a clear warning regarding the implications of pursuing arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Reports suggest that the caller may have been then-Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who characterized the potential actions as "disproportionate."
U.S. Pressure and Potential Consequences
The pressure was not confined to the UK. Khan also reported receiving a warning from a U.S. official in April 2024, who cautioned about "catastrophic consequences" if the ICC proceeded with the warrants. Senator Lindsey Graham further indicated on May 1 that executing these warrants could provoke Hamas to harm Israeli hostages.
Khan noted that there was no indication of Israel's willingness to cooperate with the court or alter its conduct during this time, despite multiple requests to postpone proceedings.
Addressing Personal Allegations
Khan responded to allegations of sexual misconduct that emerged on May 2, clarifying that a third party had filed the complaint without the consent of the alleged victim, who chose not to pursue the matter, resulting in its closure. He stated that anonymous allegations resurfaced on the platform "X" in October, but emphasized that these claims were unrelated to his legal decisions, which were made prior to the allegations coming to light.
Legal Strategy and Expert Team Formation
The prosecutor indicated he found the initial response from his team regarding the Israeli request to dismiss the case inadequate and insisted on crafting a comprehensive 22-page response. He also announced the formation of a team of senior international law experts to evaluate the court's jurisdiction and explore the possibility of pursuing actions against Netanyahu, Gallant, and three Hamas officials.
Concerns Over Court Independence
These developments underscore the intense pressure the ICC faces in cases involving the Middle East, raising ongoing concerns about the court's ability to uphold its independence amid political threats from powerful nations.
