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The head of the European Union’s diplomacy, Josep Borrell, said that all EU member states are obliged to comply with the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. This is reported by AFP with reference to statements made during a press conference in Amman, Jordan.
“This is not a political decision. This is a decision of the court, the court of justice, the international court. And the court’s decision must be respected and implemented,” Borrell said, speaking together with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between 8 October 2023 and 20 May 2024. With regard to Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas’ military wing, the warrant relates to crimes committed after the attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, which led to the current escalation of the conflict.
The ICC decision restricts Benjamin Netanyahu’s international travel. According to the Court’s statute, all 124 member states, including the European Union, must arrest him if he appears on their territory.
“All states parties to the Court’s statute are obliged to comply with this judgment,” Borrell said, adding that the EU will also abide by this obligation.
Israel has previously claimed that Mohammed Deif was killed in a strike on the Gaza Strip in July, but Hamas denies these reports. His name continues to appear on the ICC warrant.
Borrell’s statement was one of his last as head of European diplomacy. In December 2024, his place will be taken by former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who is likely to continue to uphold international law.
