Govt welcomes ICC arrest warrant application for Netanyahu

The Maldives government and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu welcomes the application of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, filed by the Prosecutor of International Criminal Court (ICC).

The arrest warrant application was filed before the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC regarding the situation in the State of Palestine.

The application was filed by the Chief Prosecutor of ICC Karim A.A. Khan KC, who said both Netanyahu and Gallant should be held accountable for the continued atrocities on Palestinian land against its people.

President's Office in its statement said the continuous aggression and genocidal acts perpetuated by Israel against the Palestinian people are a blatant disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law.

The office added that the results of these aggressive actions have translated into a large-scale humanitarian catasrophe.

Speaking on the government's decision to welcome ICC's application, President Muizzu said on X that this "marks a significant step in the quest for justice for the Palestinian people."

He further highlighted that no country is above international law and "those carrying out war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory" should be held accountable.

President Muizzu also noted that as a State Party to the Rome Statute, Maldives is confident that the ICC Prosecutor's Office has gathered enough evidence to prove Israel has conducted war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

"We will explore every avenue to support the people of Palestine in the international arena," President Muizzu said.

The arrest warrants applications at the court will be reviewed by a three-judge panel, who would decide on issuing the arrest warrant.

Since Israel is not a member state of ICC, it is unlikely both Netanyahu and Gallant would be arrested should the court decide to issue a warrant. However, an ICC arrest warrant would restrict their outbound travels, further severing Israel's ties in the international arena.

The continued attacks from Israel since October 07th, 2023 has claimed 35,562 Palestinian lives so far.