SA's Pandor questions why ICC hasn't issued arrest warrant for Israel's Netanyahu yet
South Africa made a referral to the body in November over its belief that war crimes were being committed in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv on 7 January 2024. Picture: RONEN ZVULUN / POOL / AFP
CAPE TOWN - International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor has questioned why the International Criminal Court (ICC) has not yet issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in respect of suspected war crimes in Gaza.
South Africa made a referral to the body in November over its belief that war crimes were being committed in the occupied Palestinian territory.
In contrast to the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court prosecutes individuals suspected of crimes against humanity.
Pandor said she visited the ICC during her visit to The Hague last week, where she was attending the ICJ judgment in respect of provisional measures to protect Palestinians lives.
Minister Naledi Pandor said she met both the ICC president and the prosecutor to discuss South Africa’s referral related to Israel.
She said that while South Africa does not want to interfere in the processes of independent organs, government is concerned about the slow pace of action in this matter.
Pandor said that the prosecutor explained what work was being done with regard to investigating genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
"What I found, he did not answer me sufficiently on was I asked him why he was able to issue an arrest warrant for Mr Putin, and is unable to do so for the prime minister of Israel. He couldn’t answer and did not answer that question."
Pandor said government had asked to be kept abreast of developments at the ICC and would continue to question progress on the matter.