Amsterdam ready to act upon ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu
The Netherlands is prepared to act upon the arrest warrant issued by the ICC against Netanyahu if needed, Dutch news agency ANP has reported, citing the country’s foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp.
If the Israeli leader comes to Dutch soil, he will be arrested, Veldkamp said in the House of Representatives, local outlet Nos reported. The Netherlands will also avoid “non-essential” contact with Netanyahu, Gallant and Deif, who were also issued arrest warrants by the ICC today.
“The Netherlands implements the Rome Statute 100 percent,” the foreign minister said. The signatories of the Rome Statute and members of the ICC are bound to arrest the three if they travel to their country.
World reacts to ICC warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant
Jordan’s foreign minister Ayman Safadi says the International Criminal Court’s decision must be respected and implemented, adding the Palestinians deserved justice after what he termed Israel’s “war crimes” in Gaza.
The French foreign ministry spokesman says that France’s reaction to the decision will be in line with the court’s statutes.
When asked during a news conference if France would arrest Netanyahu, Christophe Lemoine said it was a legally complicated question. “It’s a point that is legally complex so I’m not going to comment on it today,” he said.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said that the decision to issue these warrants was “not political”, and that the court’s decision should be “respected and implemented”.
Ireland calls ICC arrest warrants ‘an extremely significant step’
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said the ICC’s arrest warrants were a significant and serious step.
“The decision … is an extremely significant step,” Harris said in a statement. “These charges could not be more serious.” “Ireland respects the role of the International Criminal Court. Anyone in a position to assist it in carrying out its vital work must now do so with urgency”, he added.
Ireland’s foreign ministry also said in a statement that states must respect the ICC’s “independence and impartiality, with no attempts made to undermine the court”.
The warrants issued today “follows the court’s determination that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the alleged crimes were committed” by Netanyahu, Gallant and Deif, the ministry’s statement added.
Ireland has long supported Palestinian statehood, going so far as to independently recognise it this May.
