Israeli minister Smotrich says ICC prosecutor seeks his arrest
Smotrich says the confidential request could make him the third Israeli official targeted by the court, after Netanyahu and Gallant.
- On Tuesday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced he was informed that the International Criminal Court prosecutor submitted a secret request for an arrest warrant against him.
- Middle East Eye reported last month that the prosecutor's office filed the request, accusing Smotrich of "war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of apartheid" concerning West Bank policies.
- If judges approve the application, Smotrich would become the third Israeli official targeted by the court, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
- Responding to the reports, Smotrich called the potential warrants "a declaration of war" by the Palestinian Authority, reflecting what he characterized as Palestinian backing for international legal action over Gaza.
- While evidence regarding National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was reviewed last week, no warrant request has been filed for him, as the ICC prosecutor's office maintains strict process confidentiality.
71 Articles
71 Articles
Israel's far-right finance minister Smotrich expects the International Criminal Court to apply for an arrest warrant and announces new hardships against Palestinians in response.
Israeli Finance Minister Responds to ICC Arrest Warrant by Vowing War, Ordering Demolition of Palestinian Village
Israel's far-right finance minister did not wait a single hour after learning of a secret ICC arrest warrant request before signing an order to bulldoze a Palestinian Bedouin village that the court itself had previously warned Israel not to touch. Bezalel Smotrich held a press conference in Jerusalem on 19 May 2026, confirming he had been informed the night before that the International Criminal Court's prosecutor had secretly submitted an arres…
ICC Targets Smotrich For War Crimes— He Responds by Promising More War Crimes
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich appears to have found the perfect way to answer a reported ICC arrest warrant request for war crimes: announce more war crimes. According to Common Dreams, Smotrich said the ICC prosecutor had secretly sought a warrant tied to the forced expulsion of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. His…
Israeli minister orders West Bank hamlet evicted after hearing he may
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s finance minister has ordered the eviction of a Palestinian village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank that has long been a target of Israeli authorities, saying the measure is a response to reports that he may be a target of international war crimes prosecutors. It was not clear whether the International Criminal Court is mulling an arrest warrant for the minister, Bezalel Smotrich. The Hague court said it keeps requests…
According to Israeli finance minister Smotrich, the International Criminal Court has applied for an arrest warrant against him.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
