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NBCMAY 14 2024
The UK, under the new leadership of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is expected to drop the previous government's objections to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, two sources told the New York Times on Thursday.
After ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan in May issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant — alongside Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Mohammed Deif — Britain's Conservative government under Rishi Sunak described the move "deeply unhelpful" and submitted an amicus brief on behalf of Israel in June.
The ICC initially set a July 12 deadline for the UK's legal submission. However, given the July 4 election that brought Starmer's party into power, the deadline was extended to July 26.
The new UK government, under the leadership of Keir Starmer, is set to break with the past government in a number of ways — including Rishi Sunak's interference with the International Criminal Court. This government supports the court as the cornerstone of international law.
Under Conservative leadership, the UK was in lockstep with the US with respect to its policy on Israel. However, under the left-wing leadership of Starmer, he will break from his closest ally.