On November 23, 2024, Josep Borrell, the European Union's foreign policy chief, stated that EU member states are required to execute arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The warrants were issued due to alleged crimes against humanity linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in approximately 44,000 Palestinian deaths since October 2023.
Borrell emphasized that all EU member states, as signatories of the Rome Statute, must comply with the ICC's decisions. He criticized any selective adherence to these obligations, noting that it would be inconsistent for new EU members to be held accountable while current members are not.
The ICC's warrants also extend to Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri, with charges including murder and persecution. In contrast, the United States and Israel have rejected the ICC's authority, with Israeli officials labeling the court's actions as antisemitic. Netanyahu characterized the warrants as politically motivated and reminiscent of historical antisemitic trials.
The issuance of these warrants marks a significant moment in international law, as it challenges the impunity historically enjoyed by leaders in conflict zones and underscores the potential for accountability in ongoing humanitarian crises.