Federal minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) says that Belgium will “support and enforce” the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for crimes against humanity
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Belgium will honour ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu, says federal minister
Lisa Bradshaw
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Outgoing federal minister of development cooperation Frank Vandenbroucke has released a statement saying that Belgium “will support and enforce” the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif.
The ICC issued the warrants yesterday against the Israeli leaders “for crimes against humanity and war crimes” in the ongoing bombing of Gaza. They issued a warrant for Deif for the murder and kidnapping of Israeli citizens by Hamas in October of 2023. Israel says that they have killed Deif in a bombing, but this has not been confirmed.
‘Only logical’
Around the world, 125 countries recognise the ICC, seated in The Hague, including all EU countries. This means that if the person for whom the ICC has issued an arrest warrant enters the country, they must be detained and handed over to ICC authorities.
Up to now, neither Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) nor federal foreign affairs minister Hadja Lahbib (MR) have issued a response to the ICC’s decision. But Vandenbroucke says “it is only logical” that Belgium will honour it. “We support the victims and international justice,” he said.