Keir Starmer’s Delicate Strategy as ICC Targets Netanyahu

British PM Keir Starmer faces a delicate balancing act as he navigates the political minefield surrounding a potential International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

At a Glance

  • The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes
  • Starmer’s Labour government dropped objections to the ICC’s move after winning the July election
  • Labour suspended 30 arms export licenses to Israel, causing diplomatic tensions
  • The party is struggling to balance pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel views within its ranks
  • Labour’s stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict has affected voter support, particularly among Muslim communities

ICC Arrest Warrants and UK’s Response

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. This development has put the UK government, particularly Labour Party leader and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a challenging position.

Initially, the UK government responded by reaffirming Israel’s right to self-defense while acknowledging the ICC’s independence. A government spokesperson stated, “We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court but added that ‘Israel has a right to defend itself, in accordance with international law’.”

Labour’s Shifting Stance

After winning the July election, Starmer’s Labour government made significant policy changes regarding Israel. They dropped objections to the ICC’s move, banned some arms exports to Israel, and restored funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

“We’ve taken the wrong direction, I fear that the signals that have been given do not sound very helpful. I think they’re perverse,” Leslie Turnberg, a member of the House of Lords, said.

These actions have created tensions within the Labour Party. Pro-Palestinian critics argue that Starmer’s actions demonstrate limited British influence over Israel, while pro-Israel figures within Labour express concern over perceived wavering support.

Balancing Act and Political Consequences

Starmer’s handling of the situation has had significant political ramifications. Labour’s position on the Israel-Gaza conflict has affected voter support, particularly among Muslim communities. The party lost seats to pro-Palestinian independent candidates in the July election, highlighting the delicate nature of this issue.

“There’s no doubt that there was a reaction, There are many people who did not like our position and it wasn’t just Muslims. I myself had that experience from non-Muslims telling me to get off their property,” a Labour MP said.

The opposition Conservatives have criticized Labour’s policy changes as a reaction to election losses. Within Labour itself, there is disagreement over the party’s changing tone on Israel, with some members advocating for stronger actions. More than 100 Muslim Labour councilors have called for a complete halt in arms sales to Israel, further illustrating the internal divisions Starmer must navigate.

Legal Obligations and International Relations

The UK government has stated that a domestic court would need to approve the warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest, and police would be responsible for enforcement. This stance is based on the International Criminal Court Act 2001, which requires the UK to “transmit the request and the documents accompanying it to an appropriate judicial officer.”

“International criminal court investigations rarely become a matter for the British legal or law enforcement processes or for the British government,” Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP said.

This issue is just going to get more and more difficult for the Labour government.

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