The New York Times newspaper, citing two officials who did not want to be named, claimed that Britain would withdraw its objection to the ICC prosecutor’s issuance of an arrest warrant for Netanyahu.
Officials suggested that the new government led by Starmer would withdraw the previous government’s objection to the ICC prosecutor’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over the weekend. Starmer had said in a statement on the matter in May: “The court should be able to make its decision when the time comes. I support the court and international law.”
ENGLAND’S INITIATIVE WAS CRITICIZED
The UK had requested observations in writing on 10 June on “whether the ICC could exercise jurisdiction over Israeli citizens in circumstances where Palestine is unable to exercise criminal jurisdiction over Israeli citizens under the Oslo Accords”.
In its decision dated June 27, the ICC Preliminary Review Chamber accepted the UK’s request and instructed it to submit its written opinions by July 12.
The ICC has stated that requests from the UK, as well as those seeking permission to submit comments to the ICC, must be submitted by July 12.
There was criticism that Britain’s attempt to submit an opinion would slow down the already slow-moving ICC investigation into Palestine, while Britain’s statements had indicated that it could oppose the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Galant.
The then Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, who submitted the request to the ICC on behalf of the UK, opposed the ICC Prosecutor’s Office’s application for an “arrest warrant”, saying that it would not help the situation in Gaza.
It was reported in the press that the government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who took office in the UK on July 6, did not intend to oppose the arrest warrant for Netanyahu and Galant, unlike the Sunak government.
The Labour-led government in London also announced on July 19 that it would continue funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which it cut in January.
In a statement from the British Foreign Office, Minister David Lammy stated that the cut in support of £21 million would continue to be paid to UNRWA.
Of the £21 million support the UK will provide to UNRWA, £6 million will be used for projects targeting those in urgent need in Gaza and the West Bank, while £15 million will be used for projects addressing basic needs in the West Bank.
Following allegations that some UNRWA staff were involved in the attacks on October 7, 2023, the UK announced on January 27 that it was ending its support for the institution. (AA)