Israeli far-right minister Smotrich says ICC seeks his arrest

Bezalel Smotrich said he was informed that the International Criminal Court in The Hague requested an arrest warrant for his arrest. He did not identify who informed him, and he noted that warrant-seeking processes are confidential. He called the arrest warrants against Israeli officials a declaration of war and said Israel would fight back with a vengeance. He also attacked the organization mistakenly called the Palestinian Authority, linking it to Palestinian efforts to pursue international legal action. Smotrich said he would sign an order to evacuate Khan al-Ahmar and forcibly transfer the Palestinian community from the occupied West Bank village. The ICC previously issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant and for Hamas leaders, and sanctions have restricted the court’s access to financial and technology services.

"Smotrich said he was informed that the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague had requested a warrant for his arrest. Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Smotrich did not specify who had informed him about the warrant the previous evening. The process of seeking warrants is confidential. Smotrich called the arrest warrants against Israeli officials a declaration of war, adding: And in the face of a declaration of war, we will fight back with a vengeance."

"He also attacked the terrorist organisation mistakenly called the Palestinian Authority, reflecting the Israeli government's anger at what it sees as Palestinian backing for international legal action over Israel's military actions in Gaza. Announcing that he would go on the attack after the news of this arrest warrant, Smotrich said he will sign an order to evacuate Khan al-Ahmar, forcibly transferring the Palestinian community from this occupied West Bank village that has endured a years-long legal battle with Israeli authorities for its survival."

"In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during Israel's genocidal war on Gaza. Judges and prosecutors at the ICC have since been cut off by banks, credit card companies and tech giants like Amazon as a result of sanctions brought by the Trump administration. The court also issued arrest warrants for several Hamas leaders who were subsequently killed in Israeli operations."

"The ICC accusations reportedly centre on Smotrich's forced displacement orders for Palestinians, his support for moving Israeli settlers into occupied territory, and his claim it may be justified and moral to starve Palestinians in Gaza. If approved, it would make Smotrich the third I"

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