ICC Rejects Israel Appeal Over Netanyahu and Gallant Warrants

The International Criminal Court rejected a request from Israel to appeal a previous ruling that denied the dismissal of arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. In a 13-page decision issued Friday, October 17, 2025, the court stated that the issue as framed by Israel was not an appealable matter.

The original warrants, issued in November 2024, allege that the two leaders bear criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip between October 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024. Specifically, the charges involve the prevention of humanitarian aid and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.

While this specific appeal was dismissed, the court continues to consider a broader, separate challenge from Israel regarding the court's jurisdiction over Palestinian territories. The ICC noted it is not obligated to resolve jurisdiction disputes before executing warrants, meaning the current warrants remain valid.

These legal proceedings have faced intense political opposition. Benjamin Netanyahu termed the court's actions an "anti-Semitic decision," and the United States government imposed sanctions on senior ICC officials in response to the warrants.