ICC Prosecutor Urges Judge To Reject Israel's Efforts To Revocation Of Prime Minister Netanyahu's Arrest Order
JAKARTA - The Prosecutor's Office at the International Criminal Court (ICC) opposes Israel's request to revoke an arrest warrant issued to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, in a filing posted on its website.
In the 10-page response document, the presiding prosecutor Karim Khan stated that there was no legal basis for repealing the detention warrant in question, urging the judge to continue investigating the alleged crimes committed in Gaza.
The response came after Israel earlier this month asked the court or Chamber of Pretrial I to revoke the warrant and suspend the ICC investigation until a decision was made on Israel's challenge to the jurisdiction of the court.
Prosecutors stressed "there is no basis for repealing or canceling warrants," insisting the court has ruled actions allegedly committed by PM Netanyahu and Gallant including in court jurisdictions, reported by WAFA May 23.
The ICC previously found "reasonable reasons to believe" that the two officials were responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza between October 8, 2023 and May 20, 2024.
Israel's jurisdictional lawsuit was rejected in November 2024, but the Appeals Council overturned the decision in April 2025, citing inadequate reasons. However, prosecutors clarified that this cancellation "had nothing to do with the warrant."
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In conclusion, prosecutors asked judges to reject Israel's request to revoke or cancel arrest warrants, and "reject Israel's request for a suspension of investigation into the situation in Palestine."
It is known, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant for "crime against humanity and war crimes" in November 2024.
Last February 2025, US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the international agency, including financial sanctions and visa restrictions, accusing the court of being "involved in unlawful and unfounded acts targeting America and our close ally, Israel."