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A prosecutor at the International Criminal Court is seeking an arrest warrant for Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Middle East Eye reported speaking with officials on Monday who confirmed that the office of the prosecutor at the ICC is seeking a warrant for Smotrich for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Israel occupies the West Bank, and, according to human rights groups, imposes a system of apartheid against the Palestinians. Since becoming part of the government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2022, Smotrich has worked to expel Palestinians from the West Bank and build new Israeli settlements.
Ethnic cleansing and settling people on occupied lands are both violations of international law.
Earlier this week, Haaretz reported that the ICC had issued secret arrest warrants for five unnamed Israelis. The ICC and sources speaking with Middle East Eye say that the report is incorrect. However, the ICC prosecutor is also seeking an arrest warrant for Israeli National Security Minister Itmar Ben Gvir and one other official.
The ICC previously issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as three Hamas officials who have been killed.
Israel is not a signatory to the treaty that created the ICC, and is not bound to comply with the arrest warrants. However, states that are members of the court would be required to arrest any person wanted by the ICC who travels to their country.
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