UK Threatens ICC with Withdrawal Over Potential Arrest Warrant for Netanyahu
December 12, 2025272 VuesTemps de lecture: 2 minutes
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) has disclosed that it faced direct pressure from the UK government, including threats to withdraw funding and exit the Rome Statute, should an arrest warrant be issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This information was revealed in an official note by ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, who defended his decision to pursue Israeli officials.
Clear Warning from the UK
According to the note, Khan received a call on April 23, 2024, from an unnamed British official, explicitly warning about the consequences of issuing arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Media reports suggest that the caller may have been then-Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who deemed the potential measures "disproportionate."
U.S. Pressure and Warnings of "Catastrophic Consequences"
Pressure was not confined to London, as Khan confirmed he received a warning from a U.S. official in April 2024, indicating "catastrophic consequences" if the Court proceeded with the warrants. Additionally, Senator Lindsey Graham stated on May 1 that executing these warrants could provoke Hamas to kill Israeli hostages.
Khan noted that he found no indication of Israel's willingness to cooperate with the Court or alter its behavior during this period, despite multiple requests to postpone proceedings.
Personal Allegations Amidst the Crisis
Khan addressed allegations of sexual misconduct that emerged against him on May 2, stating that a third party filed the complaint without the alleged victim's consent, who later refused to pursue the investigation, leading to the case's closure. However, he mentioned that anonymous allegations resurfaced on the platform "X" in October, bringing the matter back into focus.
Khan emphasized that these allegations were unrelated to his legal decisions and that his plan to issue arrest warrants was formulated prior to the emergence of these claims.
Expanded Legal Response and Expert Team Formation
The Prosecutor indicated that he rejected an initial response prepared by his team regarding Israel's request to dismiss the cases, labeling it "weak," and insisted on drafting a detailed 22-page response. He also announced the formation of a team of leading international law experts to assess the Court's jurisdiction and explore the possibility of pursuing cases against Netanyahu, Gallant, and three Hamas officials.
Concerns Over the Court's Independence
These developments highlight the extent of pressure the ICC faces in Middle Eastern cases, amid growing concerns about the Court's ability to maintain its independence in the face of political threats from major powers.
Clear Warning from the UK
According to the note, Khan received a call on April 23, 2024, from an unnamed British official, explicitly warning about the consequences of issuing arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Media reports suggest that the caller may have been then-Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who deemed the potential measures "disproportionate."
U.S. Pressure and Warnings of "Catastrophic Consequences"
Pressure was not confined to London, as Khan confirmed he received a warning from a U.S. official in April 2024, indicating "catastrophic consequences" if the Court proceeded with the warrants. Additionally, Senator Lindsey Graham stated on May 1 that executing these warrants could provoke Hamas to kill Israeli hostages.
Khan noted that he found no indication of Israel's willingness to cooperate with the Court or alter its behavior during this period, despite multiple requests to postpone proceedings.
Personal Allegations Amidst the Crisis
Khan addressed allegations of sexual misconduct that emerged against him on May 2, stating that a third party filed the complaint without the alleged victim's consent, who later refused to pursue the investigation, leading to the case's closure. However, he mentioned that anonymous allegations resurfaced on the platform "X" in October, bringing the matter back into focus.
Khan emphasized that these allegations were unrelated to his legal decisions and that his plan to issue arrest warrants was formulated prior to the emergence of these claims.
Expanded Legal Response and Expert Team Formation
The Prosecutor indicated that he rejected an initial response prepared by his team regarding Israel's request to dismiss the cases, labeling it "weak," and insisted on drafting a detailed 22-page response. He also announced the formation of a team of leading international law experts to assess the Court's jurisdiction and explore the possibility of pursuing cases against Netanyahu, Gallant, and three Hamas officials.
Concerns Over the Court's Independence
These developments highlight the extent of pressure the ICC faces in Middle Eastern cases, amid growing concerns about the Court's ability to maintain its independence in the face of political threats from major powers.
