The International Criminal Court, an unprecedented message

International Criminal Court (CPI) sent a message on Friday denouncing threats against him or against the staff of the Court

In a statement published on the X network, the Hague Office of Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan said it aims “to engage constructively with all interested parties whenever dialogue is consistent with its mandate.”

“This independence and this impartiality is, however, undermined when individuals threaten to take retaliatory measures against the Court or against the staff of the Court” in the case of “decisions” regarding investigations that fall under its mandate, he added.

“Such threats, even if they are not respected, can constitute an infringement on the administration of justice” by the ICC, he warns.

The ICC calls for an “immediate” cessation of “attempts to obstruct, intimidate or unduly influence those responsible”.

Chief Prosecutor Khan’s services did not want to specify who these threats came from and whether they are related to Israel and the war in Gaza.

The ICC opened an investigation into Israel, as well as Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups for possible war crimes in the Palestinian territories. It has now expanded this investigation to the “escalation of hostilities and violence since the October 7, 2023 attacks” committed by Hamas on Israeli territory.

“We are, of course, opposed to any threats or intimidation against public officials, including ICC officials,” the White House spokeswoman replied on Friday. But “we do not support this investigation, we believe this is not their responsibility and we have been very clear on this subject,” she added.

Israeli officials told the New York Times that they expect the ICC to issue arrest warrants for members of the Israeli government — which could include Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — in connection with Israel’s military operations in response to the attack. Hamas.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Wednesday that a possible indictment of Israeli officials by the ICC would represent “a danger to democracies”.

Prime Minister Netanyahu considered that the possible issuance of such arrest warrants would be aimed at “threatening Israel’s leaders and soldiers, essentially to paralyze Israel’s ability to defend itself.”