Britain’s government decides to drop opposition for International arrest warrant for Israeli PM

Removing a major obstacle to the issuance of an international arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, the UK has withdrawn its opposition, demonstrating the new Labour government’s more assertive approach to Israel.

The UK will not challenge the jurisdiction of the international criminal court, whose chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, is seeking a warrant against Netanyahu.

“This is a matter for the court to decide on” is the stance of The UK

The deputy official spokeswoman for Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated “On the submission, this was a proposal by the previous government that was not submitted before the election. I can confirm the government will not be pursuing that in line with our longstanding position that this is a matter for the court to decide on.”

She further said  “The government feels very strongly about the rule of law internationally and domestically, and the separation of powers, and I would note the courts have already received a number of submissions on either side and they are well seized of the arguments to make their determination.”

The Labour government’s stance on whether a warrant should be issued for Netanyahu’s arrest is not clear, as it is a matter for the courts.

Warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallat for War Crimes

In May, Khan announced he was seeking warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his defence minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes committed during the Gaza attack. He is also seeking warrants against Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif.

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticized Khan’s decision, and his government later informed the International Criminal Court (ICC) that they would challenge its jurisdiction over Israeli citizens.

Senior Labour figures, meanwhile, have long maintained that they will uphold the court’s independence. Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated  “Labour’s position is that the ICC chief prosecutor’s decision to apply for arrest warrants is an independent matter for the court and the prosecutor.”

The UK’s new stance suggests that under the Labour government, it will criticize Israel more harshly.