Iceland commits to comply with ICC arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant

Icelandic authorities have announced their intention to comply with an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, a former defense minister. The country’s foreign minister reaffirmed Iceland’s respect for the independence of the ICC and its rulings, regardless of the individuals involved.

The ICC had recently declared its decision to issue arrest warrants accusing both Netanyahu and Gallant of committing crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza. An additional warrant was also issued for Mohammed Deif, the chief of Hamas’s military wing, whom the Israeli military has claimed was killed in an attack in Gaza in July.

Responses from around the world regarding the ICC’s warrants have mixed. The United States, which is not a party to the ICC, rejected the court’s decision. In contrast, the British government has stated it respects the court’s independence, implying that Netanyahu could face arrest if he were to travel to the UK.

Iceland’s commitment to uphold international law and support the work of global judicial institutions has garnered attention amidst varied reactions from other nations regarding the ICC’s actions.