The International Criminal Court (ICC) has appealed to end what it describes as intimidation tactics against its staff, warning that such threats may interfere with the “administration of justice” at the global war crimes tribunal.
The ICC’s prosecutor’s office, led by Karim Khan, issued a statement from The Hague on Friday, insisting that any attempts to obstruct, pressure, or unduly influence its officials should cease. Although the statement did not specifically mention Israel, it follows warnings from Israeli and U.S. officials against the ICC’s possible prosecution of Israeli officials for actions in Gaza.
“The Office seeks constructive engagement with all parties within the framework of its independent mandate under the Rome Statute,” the statement read, adding that its independence is compromised if individuals threaten or retaliate against court decisions on cases within its jurisdiction.
The Rome Statute, the ICC’s founding treaty, strictly prohibits any form of threat or interference directed at the court and its personnel.
Media sources have recently reported that ICC arrest warrants could be issued for senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, related to Gaza operations that have resulted in thousands of Palestinian casualties and widespread destruction since October 7.
News of possible ICC actions sparked strong pushback from Israeli and U.S. officials. Netanyahu posted a video statement, urging “leaders of the free world” to reject the ICC’s steps, which he termed an “outrageous assault” on Israel’s self-defense.
In the U.S., lawmakers urged President Joe Biden to intervene. Democratic Senator John Fetterman criticized the ICC’s potential actions, calling for Biden’s intervention to counter them as part of the administration’s “ongoing commitment to Israel.”
The ICC has been investigating alleged abuses in Palestinian territories since 2021, and Khan recently confirmed that his office is examining potential war crimes by both Hamas fighters in Israel and Israeli forces in Gaza. In 2021, the Biden administration had lifted sanctions imposed by former President Donald Trump on ICC personnel.
While the U.S. and Israel have not ratified the Rome Statute, Palestine, an observer state at the UN, has accepted ICC jurisdiction.
