Slovenia supports ICC's ‘arrest warrant’ for Israeli officials

ANKARA

The Slovenian Foreign Ministry supported the "arrest warrant" issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) Public Prosecutor Karim Khan against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

“War crimes and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of Israel and Palestine from at least Oct.7 2023 must be prosecuted independently and impartially regardless of the perpetrators,” Slovenia’s Foreign Ministry said Monday on X.

“Accountability is crucial to prevent atrocities and to guarantee peace,” the ministry said.

The ministry underlined that Slovenia firmly supports the ICC and welcomes this advancement in the investigation of the recent situation in Palestine.

Khan applied for arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant, and Hamas leaders, including political chief Ismail Haniyeh, Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar, and military chief Mohammed Deif.

Khan said he has reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility for "war crimes and crimes against humanity” committed on Palestinian territories, specifically in the Gaza Strip, from at least Oct. 8 last year.

He added that the arrest warrants for the three Hamas leaders are for "war crimes and crimes against humanity" committed in Israel and the Gaza Strip "from at least 7 October 2023."

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in the enclave.

More than 35,500 Palestinians have since been killed, the vast majority of whom have been women and children, and over 79,600 others injured since last October following an attack by Hamas.

More than seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered it to ensure that its forces do not commit acts of genocide and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.