UK's top diplomat makes unexpected promise about Netanyahu's ICC warrant
British foreign minister takes firm stance on International Criminal Court cooperation while legal questions arise about Israeli PMʼs potential UK visits. Courts might need to make tough decisions soon
Foreign Secretary David Lammy made a direct-to-the-point statement about UKʼs stance towards ICC: he guaranteed “100 percent“ cooperation with the court just days after it released arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu
The UK governmentʼs position got more complex after ICCʼs mid-november decision - Downing Street didnt rule out possible arrest of Israeli prime-minister on British soil (which creates an interesting legal situation)
Legal experts point to British courts role in this process: theyʼll need to make final decisions about any ICC-related arrests. The Foreign Office made it clear that its not ministers but judiciary system that would handle such cases; this follows the ICC Act from 01/01/2001
The situation created a split between different world-powers: while European countries (being ICC members) need to follow courts decisions‚ US takes different position. Joe Biden called the warrant outrageous and Donald Trumpʼs future team already showed strong disagreement with ICCʼs choice
- UK must follow international rules
- Courts will review any ICC warrants
- Government respects Israelʼs right to defense
- No comparison between democratic state and terror groups
Foreign office minister Hamish Falconer explained the process: “If there were to be such a visit to UK there would be a court process and due process would be followed in relation to these issues“
Yes. 100 per cent
The situation puts Britain in a tricky spot - between its legal duties and relationships with key allies‚ while the courts system hasnt dealt with ICC indictee visits before
