Norway announced the arrest of Netanyahu if the ICC warrant is issued

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has filed an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Norway announced the arrest of Netanyahu only after the ICC warrant was issued.

Norway says it is 'obliged' to arrest Netanyahu if ICC warrant is issued.

Norway will arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant if warrants are issued by a panel of judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC), Turkish news agency Anadolu reported on Wednesday (May 22).

Norway was the first European country to announce this on Tuesday (21).

Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Aide said his country would be obliged to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant if arrest warrants were issued by the Hague Tribunal and if they arrived in Norway.

Noting that a panel of judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) will consider whether an arrest warrant should be issued, the foreign minister said, “If an arrest warrant is issued against a person, Norway must expect to be extradited to the court.”

He also said, 'We hope that all ICC state parties will do the same.'

On Monday (May 20), ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan said that he has requested the issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant, and Palestinian group Hamas Politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh, Gaza's top official Yahya Sinwar, head of Hamas's military branch, Mohammad Deif. The appeal alleges war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in connection with Hamas attacks on Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza.

The decision on which of the arrest warrants will ultimately be issued rests with a three-judge panel of the ICC, who will assess the evidence presented by the Prosecutor's Office.