The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday [GETTY]
As the United States threatened the International Criminal Court with sanctions over issuing arrest warrants for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, one US official threatened to invoke the Hague Invasion Act.
This controversial act allows the US to use “all necessary means”, including military force, to release US citizens, whether military figures or political officials, detained by the ICC. This also includes officials of allied countries that are seen to serve US national security interests, such as Israel.
Formally called the American Service-Members’ Protection Act, the informal name came as the law theoretically allows the US to invade the Netherlands should one of its officials go into custody.
Whether the US would implement the act or use it as a mere threat is not known. But, regardless, many nations have followed the court’s decision to stand by the ruling, saying they would arrest Netanyahu should be set foot on their soil.
The New Arab looks into which countries have vowed to implement the warrants should the Israeli officials enter their territory and which nations have slammed the ICC’s decision.
Netherlands
The Dutch Foreign Minister, Caspar Veldkamp, said: “The Netherlands obviously respects the independence of the ICC….We are obliged to cooperate with the ICC and we will also do that. We abide 100% by the Rome Statute.”
“We abide 100% by the Rome Statute…That means that we comply with arrest warrants if someone is on Dutch territory. And that means that we do not enter into non-essential contacts.”
European Union
Josep Borrell, the EU’s Foreign Policy Chief, said the ICC’s decisions are for all court members, including all EU member states.
Ireland
Irish leader Simon Harris welcomed the arrest warrants, calling it “an extremely significant step”.
“We have insisted that international law must apply in all circumstances, at all times, and in all places and that those responsible for breaches, those who commit war crimes and crimes against humanity, must be held fully to account,” Harris wrote in a statement.
“Ireland respects the role of the International Criminal Court.”
Canada
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: “It’s really important that everyone abide by international law. We stand up for international law, and we will abide by all the regulations and rulings of the international courts.”
Norway
Norway, which recently recognised Palestine as a state, said: “The ICC plays an important role… It is important that the ICC carries out its mandate in a judicious manner. I have confidence that the court will proceed with the case based on the highest fair trial standards.”
South Africa
In a statement, the South African government welcomed the court’s decision, calling it a “significant step towards justice for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Palestine”.
“South Africa reaffirms its commitment to international law and urges all state parties to act in accordance with their obligations in the Rome Statute,” it said.
“We call on the global community to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability for human rights violations.
South Africa has also taken Israel to court, accusing the state of committing genocidal acts in Gaza.
Italy
Antonio Tajani, Italy’s foreign minister, said the country will “evaluate with [its] allies what to do and how to interpret the decision.”
“We support the Court, remembering that it must play a legal role, not a political role,” Tajani said.
France
While France’s foreign ministry said it has “always supported the actions of the Court,” when asked if it would arrest Netanyahu, its spokesperson said: “It’s a point that is legally complex, so I’m not going to comment on it today.”
Germany
Germany, one of Israel’s biggest supporters, noted its history with Israel and belief in having a great responsibility to the state and said it would “carefully examine” the arrest warrant.
“Further actions would only be considered if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were to plan a visit to Germany,” Steffen Hebestreit, government spokesperson, said in a statement.
United Kingdom
While the UK said it respects “the independence of the International Criminal Court”, the state, as always, asserted Israel’s 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 terrorist organisations.”
