Outgoing European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called on all EU member states on Thursday to respect decisions by the International Criminal Court, including the arrest warrant against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"We cannot undermine the International Criminal Court. It is the only way of having global justice," Borrell, whose term as the EU's top diplomat ends this month, told reporters in Brussels.
"They're not political. It's a legal body formed by respected people who are the best among the profession of judges."
The ICC issued arrest warrants last week for Netanyahu, his former defence chief Yoav Gallant and a Hamas leader, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict.
Though all EU member states are signatories to the ICC's founding treaty, France said on Wednesday it believed Netanyahu had immunity to actions by the ICC, given Israel has not signed up to the court statutes.
Italy has said it is not feasible to arrest Netanyahu as long as he remains head of Israel's government.
ICC judges said there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Gallant were criminally responsible for acts including murder, persecution and starvation as a weapon of war as part of a "widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza".
Read next
19:59
Ursula von der Leyen has secured a second term as European Commission president following European Parliament approval. Her team faces major challenges, including U.S. tensions, the Ukraine war, climate action, and EU enlargement.
13:52
The European Union has taken its trade dispute with China to the World Trade Organization (WTO), escalating tensions over tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs). The EU’s complaint challenges Beijing’s duties on European EV imports, which the bloc claims are unjustified and violate WTO rules.
20:10
EU envoys will meet on Wednesday to discuss a 15th round of sanctions targeting Russian oil tankers and Chinese firms involved in drone production for Moscow. The new measures aim to further restrict Russia’s access to financial assets and tighten pressure on its oil revenue.
09:54
Georgia’s parliament opened amid protests and an opposition boycott over disputed elections. Accusations of fraud and authoritarianism strain ties with the EU, raising concerns about the country’s democratic future and Western alignment.
11:12
The European Commission has announced plans to dispatch a technical mission to Georgia in the coming weeks to investigate alleged violations during the October 26 parliamentary elections.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment