UK indicates Netanyahu risks being arrested if he enters country, cites 'legal obligations'

The UK government indicated on Friday (Nov 22) that it could arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the country. Notably, the arrest would be against the warrant issued by the International Court of Justice (ICC). 

The ICC issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on November 21. 

According to AFP, UK PM Keir Starmer's spokesman refused to give any statement on whether the government would arrest Netanyahu, but he said, "The UK will always comply with its legal obligations as set out by domestic law and indeed international law."

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Britain signed the Rome Statute in 1998, the international treaty that created the ICC. 

UK's ICC Act 2001 says when the ICC issues an arrest warrant to the government minister, "he shall endorse the warrant for execution in the United Kingdom."

UK officials say the act has not been used yet as no one charged by ICC has visited Britain yet. 

Germany's 'Nazi History' With Netanyahu

Meanwhile, Germany said that the country would not arrest Netanyahu because of its "Nazi history." 

A spokesman for Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, told The Telegraph “I find it hard to imagine that arrests could be carried out in Germany on this basis."

The suggestion comes after the German government said in a statement that it has "taken note" of the ICC's decision and that it is one of the international court's biggest supporters. 

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However, the statement also added, “At the same time, it is a consequence of German history that we share unique relations and great responsibility with Israel. We will carefully examine the domestic steps. Any further action would only be taken when a visit [to Germany] by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant is foreseeable."

(With inputs from agencies)