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Countries pledging to enforce ICC arrest warrants

21 November 2024 20:07 GMT

Although 124 countries are International Criminal Court signatories, not all have openly supported the court's decision to issue arrest warrants to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Below are the countries that have confirmed their stance:

  • Canada said it will adhere to all rulings issued by international courts

  • European Union: The foreign policy chief confirms that all 27 EU member states are bound to enforce ICC decisions

  • Italy confirmed it will arrest Netanyahu or Gallant if they enter the country

  • The Netherlands said that it would comply with the ICC arrest warrants

  • Belgium: Calls for European compliance with the ICC ruling and urges economic sanctions, as well as the suspension of the Association Agreement with Israel

  • Iraq called on call on all free nations to enforce the ICC warrants

  • Turkey: Regards the ICC warrants as an important step in holding Israeli officials accountable for genocidal crimes

  • United Kingdom: The government affirms its respect for the ICC's independence, although some are seeking clarity on whether the UK will fulfil its obligations concerning ICC arrest warrants

  • Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the ICC’s decision must be respected and implemented. “Palestinians deserve justice,” he said.

  • South Africa: In a statement, the government welcomed the ICC decision and said it marked a “significant step towards justice for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Palestine”

  • France: The foreign ministry’s spokesperson, Christophe Lemoine, said that France would act “in line with the ICC’s statutes”

  • Norway: Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said, “It is important that the ICC carries out its mandate in a judicious manner. I have confidence that the court will proceed with the case based on the highest fair trial standards”

  • Ireland: Prime Minister Simon Harris said the warrants are “an extremely significant step”. He added that Ireland respects the ICC’s role and that anyone in a position to assist it in carrying out its vital work must do so “with urgency”

  • Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said that both Sweden and the European Union "support the court’s important work and protect its independence and integrity". She also noted that Swedish law enforcement authorities are responsible for deciding whether to arrest individuals subject to ICC warrants on Swedish soil

  • Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg described the ICC warrant as "incomprehensible and ludicrous". However, Schallenberg’s office stated that as a party to the Rome Statute, Austria is obligated to implement ICC arrest warrants

  • The Swiss Federal Office of Justice confirmed that Switzerland, as a signatory to the Rome Statute, is required to cooperate with the ICC. Therefore, if Netanyahu, Gallant, or Masri were to enter Switzerland, the country would be obligated to arrest them