Ottawa – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed that Canada will comply with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant, following accusations of war crimes in Gaza.
The ICC issued the arrest warrants after investigating Israeli military actions during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, accusing Netanyahu and Gallant of being responsible for alleged violations of international law. The charges relate to the killing of civilians and destruction of civilian infrastructure as part of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
In a statement, Trudeau emphasized that Canada, as a signatory to the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, would uphold the court’s decisions in accordance with international law. Trudeau said Canada remains committed to ensuring accountability for violations of human rights and international law.
The move comes amid growing international calls for accountability over actions during the Israel-Hamas conflict. Trudeau’s remarks also underline Canada’s position in supporting the work of international bodies like the ICC, despite Israel’s stance against the court’s authority in this case.
Trudeau’s statement has sparked both support and criticism, with some human rights groups applauding the commitment to justice, while others caution about the diplomatic implications for Canada’s relations with Israel.