Italy, the Netherlands, and Canada have announced that they would comply with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
The ICC issued the warrants on Thursday, accusing Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war in Gaza.
A warrant was also issued for Mohammed Deif, the military chief of the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.
According to Turkish Newspaper, Daily Sabah, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated that Italy would be obliged to arrest Netanyahu if he visited.
Speaking on RAI’s Porta a Porta program, Crosetto said he disagreed with equating Netanyahu and Gallant with Hamas but acknowledged Italy’s obligation as an ICC member to act on the warrants.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani echoed support for the ICC while emphasizing that its role must remain legal, not political. Tajani added that Italy would consult with allies on how to proceed.
This marks the first time a sitting leader from a major Western country has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by an international tribunal.
The ICC panel alleged Netanyahu and Gallant are responsible for war crimes, including starvation, and crimes against humanity such as murder, persecution, and inhumane acts.
The war in Gaza has caused widespread devastation, displacing nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and leaving most reliant on aid.
Over 44,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have been killed during the conflict, according to local health authorities.
The war began after Hamas launched a cross-border attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people.
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp confirmed that the Netherlands would arrest Netanyahu if he entered Dutch territory.
He emphasized that the government would fully comply with the ICC, as mandated by the Rome Statute.
The EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described the arrest warrants as legal, not political, and binding for all EU member states.
Speaking in Jordan, Borrell urged an end to the tragedy in Gaza, stressing that the ICC’s decision must be respected and implemented.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also affirmed Canada’s support for the ICC warrants, stating that Canada, as a founding member of the ICC, would uphold international law.
Addressing reporters near Toronto, Trudeau confirmed that Canada would comply with the ICC rulings and reiterated the need for a ceasefire and a two-state solution.
He also called for the release of hostages and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) praised Trudeau’s statement, calling it a significant step toward justice for Gaza and Palestine.
“This means, in theory, that Netanyahu and Gallant could be arrested if they entered Canada,” the NCCM said, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law and human rights.
