Starmer backs ICC over arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Sir Keir Starmer has backed the International Criminal Court (ICC) after it issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister.

Source - Daily Telegraph - 

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When asked about the issue, Sir Keir’s official spokesman said the Government respected the independence of the court.

He declined to say whether Mr Netanyahu would be arrested if he arrived in the UK.

The spokesman said: “We respect the independence of the ICC, which is the primary institutional institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes in relation to international law.

“This Government has been clear that Israel has a right to defend itself in accordance with international law. There is no moral equivalence between Israel, a democracy and Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, which are terror groups.

“We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the devastating violence in Gaza.”

Under the Conservatives, the British government had told the court it intended to challenge the plans for the arrest warrants.

However, weeks after coming to power, Sir Keir’s government reversed that position and said it would not object.

Downing Street also declined to say whether Mr Netanyahu would be welcome to visit Britain in the future.

Sir Keir’s spokesman said: “We never comment on future international visits but my position on the Prime Minister’s support for Israel in terms of its right to defend itself in accordance with international law is very clear.”

The spokesman repeatedly declined to “go into hypotheticals” about whether Mr Netanyahu would be arrested if he arrived in the UK.

He added: “It’s not up to the Prime Minister to determine other world leaders’ travel schedules. He engages and will continue to engage with the prime minister of Israel in support of Israel’s right to defend itself.”

Pressed on what he meant by his comments about the court, the spokesman said: “It means that we respect the independence of the ICC. We respect the fact that the ICC is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern.”

The spokesman went on to say the Government’s “focus” remained an end to the violence in the Middle East, which has been ongoing for more than a year after the Oct 7 terror attacks by Hamas.

On being asked about the US describing the ICC as a “kangaroo court”, the spokesman replied: “We respect the independence of the ICC.”