The International Criminal Court (ICC) faced significant pressure from the British government regarding potential arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a recent disclosure. ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan revealed that the UK threatened to withhold funding and potentially withdraw from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court, if it proceeded with plans to issue a warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest.
Khan made this claim in a memorandum submitted to the court, defending his decision to pursue accountability for alleged actions. He stated that on April 23, 2024, he received a forceful phone call from an unnamed British official. While the official’s identity remains unconfirmed, media reports suggest it may have been then-Foreign Secretary David Cameron.
According to Khan, the British official argued that issuing arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant would be disproportionate. Khan, a British national of Pakistani descent, indicated that the British threats were not isolated incidents. He also received warnings from a U.S. official about the potential for “catastrophic consequences” if the warrants were issued.
During a separate call on May 1, 2024, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham reportedly warned Khan that executing the warrants could incite Hamas to kill Israeli hostages. Khan maintained that he emphasized during the calls that there was no indication of the Israeli government’s willingness to cooperate with the ICC or alter its conduct.
He further explained that he insisted on sending a strong, 22-page response to Israel’s request to dismiss the warrants, deeming the initial response inadequate. Khan also established a panel of international law experts to assess the court’s jurisdiction and the feasibility of prosecuting Netanyahu, Gallant, and three Hamas officials. This revelation comes amidst ongoing international scrutiny of the situation in Gaza. Several European nations have publicly affirmed their commitment to the ICC’s independence, potentially limiting Netanyahu’s movements.
