ICC Chief Prosecutor Khan Eyed Arrest Warrants for Ben-Gvir, Smotrich Before Leave
ICC Prosecutor’s Alleged Plan to Issue Arrest Warrants
In a bombshell report, the Wall Street Journal claims that International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Karim Khan was preparing to issue arrest warrants for Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich before taking leave amid sexual assault allegations against him.
The Stakes: Settlements and International Law
The alleged warrants stem from the ministers’ roles in expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank. The ICC has jurisdiction over crimes committed in Palestinian territories since 2014 when the Palestinian Authority accepted its authority. Prosecutors have been investigating whether Ben-Gvir and Smotrich’s actions constitute war crimes under the Geneva Convention.
Ben-Gvir’s Fiery Response
Ben-Gvir reacted defiantly to the news, taking to X/Twitter to declare, “No arrest warrant of any kind will deter me from continuing to act for the people of Israel and the Land of Israel.”
He went on to say, “The prosecutor in The Hague will not scare me, does not threaten me—I will do whatever is necessary to protect my people, even at the cost of issuing a counter-warrant. When there is a warrant against me in The Hague—I know I am on the right path.”
Khan’s Leave and the Shadow of Allegations
Khan’s planned leave coincides with a UN investigation into sexual assault allegations made against him by a former close aide. The allegations, which Khan denies, have cast a shadow over his tenure and sparked questions about the timing of the alleged arrest warrant plans.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Khan reportedly pressured the complainant to retract her allegations, warning her that pursuing the matter would damage both their reputations and undermine the ICC’s work. He allegedly said, “Think about the Palestinian arrest warrants.”
Uncertain Future
The decision on whether to pursue the cases against Smotrich and Ben-Gvir now rests with Khan’s two deputies. The outcome remains uncertain and could significantly escalate tensions between the ICC and Israel.
