TEL AVIV, Israel: Israel has reportedly issued warnings to US counterparts, indicating its intention to retaliate against the Palestinian Authority (PA) if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, according to a report.
Concerns have escalated within Israel over potential ICC arrest warrants targeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and the Israel Defense Forces, as per sources cited in the Axios news website.
Israeli officials have informed the US of alleged pressure exerted by PA officials on the ICC prosecutor to issue the warrants.
One potential retaliatory measure Israel could employ involves withholding tax revenue collected on behalf of the PA. Such economic sanctions could precipitate the collapse of the PA, which governs certain areas of the occupied West Bank under the Oslo Accords.
The ICC has been conducting an investigation since 2021 into potential war crimes committed by Israel and Palestinian groups, extending back to 2014. The probe has expanded to include ongoing hostilities in the Gaza conflict.
A US official expressed concern, cautioning against the issuance of arrest warrants for senior Israeli figures, warning of potential repercussions. The official stated, “We are quietly encouraging the ICC not to do it. It will blow up everything. Israel will retaliate against the Palestinian Authority.”
The Biden administration has reiterated its lack of support for the ICC’s investigation while condemning any attempts to intimidate or threaten judges involved in the process, according to US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby’s remarks on Tuesday.
