ICC chief prosecutor says Israel made ‘no real effort’ to probe Gaza crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor has defended the organisation’s issuing of arrest warrants for Israel’s prime minister and former defence chief, adding that the country failed to probe war crimes allegations itself.

Karim Khan, speaking in an interview on Thursday with the Reuters news agency, said the ICC had not seen “any real effort” by Israel to take “action that would meet the established jurisprudence”, adding that he hoped the situation would change.

ICC judges issued arrest warrants last November for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during Israel’s war on Gaza.

An Israeli investigation could have led to the case being handed back to Israeli courts under so-called complementary principles. Khan said Israel could still demonstrate its willingness to investigate, even after warrants were issued.

This seems unlikely since Israel has rejected the jurisdiction of the Hague-based ICC, denying war crimes despite its apparent failure to investigate the claims.