International Criminal Court

The International Criminal Court (ICC), based in The Hague in The Netherlands is the world's sole permanent court with the power to prosecute individuals for international crimes. These crimes include genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression. 


Typically, cases will advance to the ICC once they have cycled through local and national courts with no prosecution of crimes.


As of September 2021, 123 countries are signed on the Rome Statute, the binding legal treaty that enacted the creation of the court and serves as its legal guide. Israel signed on to the Statute on December 31, 2000, but its signature was never approved or accepted. 


The Judicial Division is the body of lawmakers that hears cases, headed by the president. Cases are brought to the Judicial Division by the Prosecutor. 


On March 3, 2021, then-ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announced the opening of a full war crimes probe against Israel and Hamas, focusing on the Gaza wars in 2014 and 2018, as well as the launching of rockets by Hamas against Israeli civilians and the settlement enterprise.

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Philippine ex-President Duterte to face murder charges at ICC for drug war killings

Duterte, 79, could become the first Asian former head of state to go on trial at the ICC in The Hague.

By REUTERS
12/03/2025

Herzog decries US campus antisemitism in meeting with American judges

Herzog concedes concern, not for Israel alone, but for Jewish students in American universities who are constantly suffering harassment.

ICC prosecutor's office says Palestinian probe continues with urgency

The withdrawal of the warrant for Deif means there are now no public ICC arrest warrants for any Palestinian terrorists connected to the October 7 attacks.

By REUTERS
27/02/2025

ICC cancels arrest warrant for Hamas leader Mohammed Deif

An arrest warrant was issued for Deif even though Israel had confirmed that he had been killed in an Israeli airstrike back in August 2024.

How Israel could have avoided ICC warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant

ICC: Attempts to secure the agreement of Israel to allow Gaza access should not be conflated with the planning of actual mission deployments.

Hamas could evade justice if the ICC refuses to take action

If no action is initiated, Hamas leaders, and its supporters who carried out monstrous crimes on October 7, will go scot-free.

US Treasury confirms Trump sanctions on ICC prosecutor Karim Khan

Trump said the court had abused its power when issuing "baseless arrest warrants" against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

White House confirms war crimes prosecutor first target of ICC sanctions

The sanctions, which repeat action Trump took during his first term, include freezing of US assets of those designated and barring them and their families from visiting the United States.

By REUTERS
10/02/2025

Netanyahu's plane avoided Canadian airspace due to ICC arrest warrants

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed soon after the warrants were issued that his government would abide by them.

Former Defense Minister Gallant heckled in New York

"Why should you be allowed to walk the streets of New York?" among the commentary from assailants.

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