Malta says it respects ICC mandate, unique role after issue of arrest warrant for Netanyahu

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Following the issuing of arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, the island nation of Malta said on Friday that it respects the International Criminal Court (ICC) mandate and remains committed to supporting its independence and impartiality.

In a landmark move, The Hague court on Thursday announced it had issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza since last October.

Asked by Anadolu how Malta will act in the wake of the ICC ruling, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted that the court issued the warrants in connection with Oct. 7, 2023 – when Israel launched a brutal offensive on Gaza, so far killing some 44,000 people – and what has occurred since.

"Malta respects the International Criminal Court mandate and unique role in all their respects," said the spokesperson.

The response mentioned that Malta is in close contact with its fellow EU members to determine "a common response" to this development, while maintaining its commitment to the primary goals of releasing all hostages and achieving a cease-fire in Gaza and Lebanon.

The spokesperson added that they will continue to do this through a resolution proposed at the UN Security Council.

"As an ICC state party, we remain committed to supporting its independence and impartiality."

- War crimes, crimes against humanity

Earlier this week, the US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an unconditional cease-fire in Gaza and the release of all hostages.

Many countries and international organizations have welcomed the arrest warrants and expressed support for the ICC.

Many reactions to the news also stressed the importance of upholding international law and called on all states and parties to the court to comply with necessary legal obligations.

In a Thursday statement, the ICC said: "The Chamber issued warrants of arrest for two individuals, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024.”

Gallant served as defense minister until just weeks ago, for over a year of Israel’s relentless offensive on Gaza.

The warrants come as Israel’s genocidal offensive in Gaza recently entered its second year, having already killed some 44,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing and deliberate blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, pushing the population to the brink of starvation.

The ICC said the warrants were issued for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.