Palestine welcomes UK’s decision to drop objection to ICC arrest warrant for Israel’s Netanyahu


RAMALLAH: Palestine today welcomed the UK government’s decision to drop its objection to an arrest warrant being issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates considered in a press statement that the UK government’s decision overturning the previous government’s objection to the ICC prosecutor’s application for a warrant for Netanyahu, among other Israeli war criminals, realisation of justice.

It expressed appreciation of the UK government’s positions, including the pledge to uphold human rights and international law and a human rights-first foreign policy, which it considered conducive to enhancing cooperation between Palestine and the UK in the coming days.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will drop the UK’s objection to an arrest warrant being issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying it was a matter for the court.

The ann
ouncement, made by a spokesperson for the new prime minister on Friday, overturns the previous government’s objection to the ICC prosecutor’s application for a warrant for Netanyahu and his ‘Defence’ Minister, Yoav Gallant.

“On the ICC submission… I can confirm the government will not be pursuing (the proposal) in line with our long-standing position that this is a matter for the court to decide on,” the spokesperson told reporters.

The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) said it was a “relief” to see the objection being dropped.

Source: Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA