France, Netherlands to enforce ICC arrest warrants against PM Netanyahu, former DM Gallant for war crimes in Gaza conflict

France and the Netherlands announced on Thursday that they will enforce the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Both Israeli leaders will be facing travel restrictions upon entering 124 Rome Statute member states across the globe. Following the issuance of the arrest warrants, the Netherlands was the first to state they would act on the ICC orders. Shortly thereafter, France, Belgium and Jordan declared they would enforce the arrest warrants as well.

Netanyahu and Gallant will be unable to enter numerous countries without being arrested by local authorities, including the Czech Republic, Poland, Greece, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Australia, Canada, Seychelles, South Africa, Cyprus, South Korea, Argentina and Brazil, among others.

The extensive and broad travel ban underscores the gravity of the ICC decision, resulting in significant diplomatic repercussions for Israel.

The ICC alleges that Netanyahu and Gallant have committed humanitarian and war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza in the war against the Hamas terrorist organization, which began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists and their allies launched a surprise invasion and brutal attack on southern Israeli communities near the Gaza border.

The ICC's decision to issue the arrest warrants also means that any of the 124 member counties could attempt to apprehend Netanyahu or Gallant while they are outside of Israel.

While the ICC has no enforcement power with its warrants, any country that has agreed with the court’s Rome Statute would be obligated to arrest either of the Israeli political leaders.

On Thursday, several nations, including Italy and the Netherlands, indicated that Netanyahu and Gallant would be arrested when and if they visited their countries.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told RAI television: “We would have to arrest them,” adding that it wasn’t a matter of politics, but they are bound as members of the ICC to enforce the warrants.

A spokesman for the Dutch government agreed to comply with the ICC measure.

The European Union’s chief of foreign policy, Josep Borrell, disputed Israel’s complaint that the decision was political, and that member states should respect and be accountable for the arrest warrants following the ICC’s critical decision.

“It is not a political decision. It is a decision of a court, of a court of justice, of an international court of justice. And the decision of the court has to be respected and implemented,” said Borrell.

The foreign minister of France did not fully commit to act on the ICC order if Netanyahu or Gallant were to enter French territory.

“It’s a point that is legally complex so I’m not going to comment on it today,” a spokesman said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country would abide by all regulations and rulings of the ICC and urged other member states to follow.

“It’s really important that everyone abides by international law. We stand up for international law, and we will abide by all the regulations and rulings of the international courts.”

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi stated that the ruling should be respected by all ICC member states

Netanyahu called the court’s decision “disgraceful” and vowed to continue dismantling the Hamas terror group in Gaza.

“No outrageous anti-Israeli decision will stop us – and it will not stop me – from continuing to defend our country by every means. We will not yield to pressure,” he said.

Netanyahu has repeatedly called out The Hague for its antisemitic stance and for turning a blind eye to the Iranian and Syrian regimes, and other dictatorships.

Gallant, who was fired from his post as defense minister by Netanyahu this month, said Israel “will not be deterred.”

Gallant wrote on 𝕏: “The Israel Defense Forces will continue fighting to achieve the goals of this war,” adding that he was “proud of the extraordinary privilege I had in leading Israel’s defense establishment during our hardest hour,” and that he “stands by our troops who will continue to operate at the highest professional and moral levels while defending the State of Israel.”