ICC Appeals Chamber accepts Israel's challenge to the court's jurisdiction

Israel had appealed the decision of the Pre-Trial Chamber, which had previously rejected its challenge regarding the ICC's jurisdiction over Israel.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber overturned the Pre-Trial Chamber's decision, stating that it had not sufficiently addressed Israel's arguments regarding its right to challenge the court's jurisdiction. The Appeals Chamber ordered that Israel's objection be re-evaluated.

Following ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan's request on May 20, 2024, for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Gaza Strip, Israel had challenged the ICC's jurisdiction over its citizens. The Pre-Trial Chamber had ruled against Israel, stating that it was too early to evaluate such arguments.

REQUEST TO SUSPEND ARREST WARRANT APPLICATION REJECTED

The Appeals Chamber also rejected Israel's request to suspend the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant until the jurisdictional issue is resolved. The Appeals Chamber stated that this matter is not directly linked to the question of jurisdiction and that the Pre-Trial Chamber should decide on it.

News Source: İHA