Some European countries are trying to intimidate the judges of the International Criminal Court in the case against Israeli leaders. They should stop interfering and respect the court. This was stated by the head of foreign policy of the European Union, Josep Borrell, quoted by Reuters.
Earlier this week, ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan filed a motion seeking arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant, as well as three Hamas leaders.
The prosecutor has done nothing more than file charges and the court will decide. In the meantime, I am asking everyone, starting with the Israeli government and some European governments, not to intimidate the judges, Borrell said.
Don't threaten them, don't try to influence their decision, sometimes with threats and very harsh disqualifications," he added.
Israel denies committing war crimes in Gaza. The country argues that the ICC has no jurisdiction there and called on the parties to renounce the politically motivated sham court. Hamas also rejected the accusations against its leaders.
Several countries condemned the ICC prosecutor's decision to seek the Israelis' arrest, including the United States, Israel's closest non-ICC ally. Hungary described the request for arrest warrants as a political decision.