By Laura Gamba
BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Colombian President Gustavo Petro celebrated International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Karim Khan´s announcement to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar.
“The Government of Colombia welcomes the announcement made by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court against those mainly responsible for the violation of international law and the commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza,” Petro wrote Monday on X.
It came hours after Khan announced that he applied for arrest warrants for top Israeli and Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes committed during the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel and Israel’s onslaught on Gaza.
“The measure, which equally covers leaders of all parties to the conflict, constitutes a step in the right direction and a significant development in the fight against impunity. Colombia trusts that the Chamber of the Court called to decide on this request will rule and accept the request of the Prosecutor's Office,” added Petro.
Petro had already urged an arrest warrant by the ICC for Netanyahu and had asked the UN Security Council to "begin to consider the establishment of a peacekeeping force in the territory of Gaza."
On May 1, Petro announced his country was severing diplomatic ties with Israel for its offensive in Gaza. Colombia joined Bolivia, Belize, South Africa and other nations in severing or suspending ties with Israel.
Israel responded by describing Petro as "anti-Semitic and hateful."
The Colombian head of state has been very critical of Israeli military action in Gaza, which has caused the deaths of nearly 35,000 Palestinians.
He has asked the International Court of Justice to allow Colombia to join South Africa's case that accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza.