Netanyahu addresses Israeli Supreme Court
Netanyahu has told Israel’s Supreme Court: “You do not have the authority to imprison a prime minister.”
Later today, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara will tell Israel’s highest court whether Netanyahu is fit to serve as prime minister.
Netanyahu also said any “petitions demanding my arrest are a dangerous attempt to drag the judiciary into the political arena and force it to make a decision.”
His comments come weeks after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged “war crimes”. Israel has told the ICC that it will appeal against both arrest warrants.
Israeli minister to make US trip amid latest US-led Gaza ceasefire push: Report
Ron Dermer, Israel’s minister for strategic affairs, will visit Washington, DC, and Palm Beach, Florida, this week, Axios’s Barak Ravid reports, quoting two unnamed sources. His report said Dermer will meet with advisers to US President Biden and President-elect Trump but has no plans to meet with Trump himself at the moment.
After announcing the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel on Tuesday, US officials said they would be making another effort to end the nearly 14-month-long war in the Gaza Strip.
Smotrich advocates escalation with Iran
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says on X: “We will never return to the situation that was on October 6 [2023]. It’s time to target the head of the snake in Iran.”
Since the Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, Israel and Iran have exchanged escalating attacks and threats. The rising tension raises longstanding fears that Israel’s war on Gaza will eventually lead to an all-out war across the region.
Smotrich also said: “We must focus with allies to dismantle the regime that threatens Israel and manages Hezbollah,” referring to Iran.
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