International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan’s request for an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has created a diplomatic dilemma for several key member states: how can they support both Israel and the ICC?
Khan’s move on Monday, the first attempt to go after a sitting Western-backed head of state, has yet to be reviewed by ICC judges who could amend, reject or approve it. But his move into the globally divisive Israeli-Palestinian conflict has some of the ICC’s supporters questioning the extent of their loyalty.
Prosecutors had communicated plans in advance to some capitals, including Paris, London and Berlin, allowing governments to coordinate responses. Yet many refused to say what they will do if arrest warrants for the Gaza war are issued against Israeli leaders.
