Norway FM Says Israeli Officials to Be Arrested if ICC Issues Warrants

Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide announced that, should the ICC issue warrants, Norway will arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Security Minister Yoav Gallant. This statement made a day after the dramatic declaration by ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, positions Norway as the first European country to make such a commitment.

“if an arrest warrant is issued against Netanyahu and Gallant on behalf of the Hague Tribunal, we will be obliged to arrest them if they arrive in Norway,” said Eide adding that “It is the court that decides whether to issue an arrest warrant. If so, all the signatory countries must act on it.” 
 
Similarly, France and Belgium announced on Tuesday their support for the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) application for the issuance of arrest warrants against top Israeli officials and Resistance leaders.

Khan said that Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility for a list of “war crimes and crimes against humanity” in Gaza, including “extermination and/or murder, starving civilians, willful killing, willfully causing great suffering, or serious injury,” and deliberate direct attacks against civilian populations in the Strip.

The Chief Prosecutor of the ICC, Karim Khan, stated on Monday that his office is filing applications for arrest warrants before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Security Minister Yoav Gallant, making it the first action of its kind taken against any major US partner.

His decision sparked outrage in the occupation entity and the United States, both threatening to take retaliatory measures against the court, including imposing sanctions.

“France supports the International Criminal Court, its independence, and the fight against impunity in all situations,” the country’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement late Monday.

Belgium’s Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib posted on X, “Crimes committed in Gaza must be prosecuted at the highest level, regardless of the perpetrators,” with a statement attached.

Biden denies genocide allegations against ‘Israel’ after ICC warrants

US President Joe Biden said during a press conference that despite the ICC prosecutor’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli occupation leaders, “Israel” is not committing genocide in Gaza.

“Israel must do all it can to ensure civilian protection, but let me be clear, contrary to allegations against Israel made by the International Criminal Court of Justice, what’s happening is not genocide, we reject that,” Biden said on Monday.

Earlier, Biden had criticized the International Criminal Court’s move to seek arrest warrants for Israeli occupation officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling it “outrageous”.

Biden cited an alleged absence of equivalence between “Israel” and Hamas as he affirmed unwavering support for “Israel’s” security.

“And let me be clear: whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence – none – between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security,” Biden said in a statement.

“Fundamentally, this decision does nothing to help, and could jeopardize, ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement that would get hostages out and surge humanitarian assistance in,” Blinken said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed similar sentiments by questioning the court’s jurisdiction and its process in applying for the warrants.