UK drops plan to oppose ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu

The UK government has abandoned plans to contest the International Criminal Court’s request for an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

This decision follows the proposal made by the previous Conservative government, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

A spokeswoman for the new Labour administration, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, confirmed that the government will not pursue the previous proposal. "This was a plan from the former government that will not be continued," she stated.

In May, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan sought arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Although the ICC lacks enforcement power, its member states, including Germany and the UK, are obligated to cooperate with its decisions. If granted, the warrants could lead to an arrest if Netanyahu travels to any of the 124 ICC member countries.

Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which began after Hamas attacks on October 7, has drawn widespread criticism. Over 39,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 90,000 injured, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

The UK’s Labour Party, under pressure from supporters, faces calls for a tougher stance on the conflict. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has vowed to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while the White House faces mounting pressure to mitigate civilian suffering.

Despite not being ICC members, Israel and the U.S. are affected by the court’s jurisdiction over Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank. Israeli leaders have condemned the ICC's actions, with Netanyahu calling it a “political outrage” and President Isaac Herzog labelling it “beyond outrageous.”