British Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated on Monday that the UK will adhere to due legal process if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the country.
Speaking to reporters during a G7 meeting in Rome, Lammy addressed whether London would enforce the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against Netanyahu. He said, “We are signatories to the Rome Statute and always uphold our commitments under international and humanitarian law.”
He added, “Of course, if such a visit to the UK occurs, there will be a judicial process, and the relevant legal procedures will be followed accordingly.”
Legal Obligations and UK’s Position
The British government had earlier stated that Netanyahu could face arrest under the ICC warrant if he entered the UK. According to The Guardian, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer affirmed the UK’s commitment to its legal obligations: “The United Kingdom will always adhere to its legal commitments as outlined under domestic and international law.”
While Home Secretary Yvette Cooper refrained from taking a definitive position, she noted in a Sky News interview that “this matter is outside the jurisdiction of the Home Office.” Cooper emphasized that the UK respects the ICC’s independence, adding: “Legal procedures would be followed if necessary, but it would be speculative to comment on individual cases.”
International Reactions
The ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has sparked varied responses across Europe. Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris stated that Irish authorities would arrest Netanyahu if he visited, affirming Ireland’s commitment to supporting international courts.
Similarly, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, and Spain have expressed their intent to honor the ICC warrants, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán invited Netanyahu to visit Hungary, openly challenging the court’s authority.
Domestic Criticism and Calls for Action
The ICC’s decision has drawn criticism from conservative voices in the UK. Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel described the warrants as “provocative and deeply concerning,” while Robert Jenrick, a former Conservative Party leadership candidate and current Shadow Justice Minister, dismissed the warrants as “politicized and absurd.”
In contrast, Green Party politician Carla Denyer argued that the arrest warrants underscore the need for the UK to reevaluate its arms trade with Israel, stating, “Selling arms to Israel aids and abets war crimes.” Denyer called for more direct measures, including sanctions, divestment, and an arms embargo to pressure Israel into a ceasefire.
Liberal Democrats also voiced support for the ICC, with Foreign Affairs spokesperson Callum Miller accusing the previous Conservative government of undermining the UK’s global reputation by dismissing international legal frameworks.
Crimes Against Humanity in Gaza
The ICC warrants, issued last Thursday, accuse Netanyahu and Gallant of “war crimes and crimes against humanity” related to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, now in its 412th day.
The court rejected Israel’s jurisdictional challenges and confirmed the warrants in a statement: “The Pre-Trial Chamber I has dismissed Israel’s jurisdictional objections and issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant.”
These warrants stem from a May request by ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, who accused Israeli leaders of responsibility for crimes committed in Gaza since October 7, 2023. Khan renewed his call for swift action in August, citing the urgency of the humanitarian crisis.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, Israel, with U.S. backing, has carried out what human rights organizations describe as a genocide in Gaza. The relentless bombing campaign has killed or injured over 148,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children. More than 10,000 people are missing, while starvation and targeted attacks on civilians have created one of the world’s most devastating humanitarian crises.
Despite international condemnation and UN Security Council demands for an immediate ceasefire, Israel has ignored calls to halt its actions. Furthermore, the International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to take measures to prevent genocide and alleviate Gaza’s catastrophic humanitarian conditions.
