“And our position on this process matter is that it is for the courts and prosecutor to decide and that’s why we’ve not taken forward plans put forward by the previous government,” the spokesperson said.
The decision marks a contrast to the previous Conservative government, who requested the court provide written observations on whether it “can exercise jurisdiction over Israeli nationals” given the Palestinian Authority cannot exercise criminal jurisdiction over Israeli nationals. The Conservatives did not submit a full objection before the election.
The ICC issued arrest warrant applications for Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in May, declaring they were responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza since October last year. The charges included starving citizens, willfully causing suffering and intentionally targeting a civilian population. Israel has forcefully denied the allegations.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited both Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories earlier this month where he met Netanyahu and Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, stressing the need for an immediate cease-fire and release of all hostages.
In June, Lammy, who was then shadow foreign secretary, said the U.K. would comply with any ruling, telling CNN: “In the Labour party, we believe in the rules-based order. We believe in international law.”
Starmer reportedly sought the legal advice of Attorney General Richard Hermer, one of a group of Jewish lawyers who signed an open letter to the Financial Times telling Israel to comply with international law.