Israel warns Palestinian authority of retaliation over ICC arrest warrants

According to a report by the American news website Axios on Wednesday, citing Israeli and U.S. officials, the Israeli government has issued a warning to the Biden administration regarding potential arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli leaders.

The report states that Israel has conveyed that if such warrants are issued by the ICC, it may take “retaliatory steps against the Palestinian Authority, that could lead to its collapse.”

Recent reports in Israeli media have highlighted growing concerns over the possibility that the ICC could issue arrest warrants for top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.

The warning from Israel to the U.S. administration underscores the high stakes involved and the potential for escalating tensions and consequences if the ICC proceeds with legal actions against Israeli leadership over alleged war crimes or violations of international law.

The International Criminal Court (ICC), already investigating potential war crimes in Palestine dating back to the 2014 conflict, has expanded its inquiry to cover the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

According to Axios, two Israeli officials disclosed that Israel has informed the United States in recent weeks about evidence suggesting that Palestinian Authority officials are urging the ICC prosecutor to issue arrest warrants against Israeli leaders.

A senior official emphasized the genuine threat of ICC arrest warrants and indicated that if such warrants were issued, the Israeli cabinet would likely take official action to sanction the Palestinian Authority.

Axios also reported that the White House, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office, and the Palestinian Authority declined to provide comments.

U.S. President Joe Biden has reaffirmed the U.S.’s opposition to an ICC investigation targeting Israeli leaders.

“We are quietly urging the ICC not to proceed. It would have significant repercussions. Israel would retaliate against the Palestinian Authority,” a US official stated.

The official also suggested that the Biden administration does not view the potential action as imminent, contrary to Israeli perceptions.

According to U.S. and Israeli officials, Israel informed the Biden administration that in the event of arrest warrants being issued, it would hold the Palestinian Authority accountable and respond forcefully, potentially leading to its collapse. One possible action could entail halting the transfer of tax revenues collected by Israel for the Palestinian Authority.

A senior Israeli official emphasized to Axios the genuine threat posed by ICC arrest warrants. They underscored that if such a situation were to arise, the Israeli cabinet would probably take official steps to penalize the Palestinian Authority, possibly resulting in its downfall.