Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Israel has sharply criticized Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney after he publicly stated that he would support executing an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he enter Canadian territory.
Speaking to reporters, Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Pedrosian urged Carney to reverse his position, calling it “deeply regrettable.”
“We believe Prime Minister Carney should reconsider this stance and welcome Prime Minister Netanyahu, the leader of the only Jewish and democratic state in the Middle East to Canada,” Pedrosian said, according to The Times of Israel.
Carney’s statement came during a U.S. media interview on Sunday, where he was asked directly whether he would enforce the ICC warrant if Netanyahu visited Canada. His answer was unequivocal: “Yes.”
Carney went on to say that the ultimate goal of Canada’s Middle East policy is the establishment of a free and viable Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel a goal, he argued, that Netanyahu’s government is actively undermining.
“The actions of the current Israeli government are inconsistent with the UN Charter and Canada’s long-standing policy since 1947,” Carney added, referencing Canada’s historical support for a two-state solution.
He emphasized that while the United States opposes Canada’s stance, “our decision is shared by Spain, France, the United Kingdom, and 150 other nations in the UN.”
Background: ICC Arrest Warrants
The controversy follows the ICC’s November 21, 2024, issuance of arrest warrants for both Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The charges include war crimes and crimes against humanity, such as using starvation as a method of warfare, unlawful killings, and acts of persecution.
These charges stem from the Israeli military campaign in Gaza and other operations in the occupied territories. Although Israel, like the U.S., is not a signatory to the Rome Statute that governs the ICC, the warrants have legal weight in member states, including Canada.
Growing Tensions over the ICC
The Israeli government backed by the U.S. under President Donald Trump has consistently rejected the ICC’s authority. During his first term, Trump even sanctioned the court’s chief prosecutor, and in his second term, he continues to challenge the court’s legitimacy.
Critics argue that the ICC’s efforts, while symbolically important, face severe limitations in enforcement, especially when dealing with leaders of powerful countries or close Western allies.
Nonetheless, Carney’s stance represents a rare public commitment from a Western leader to honor ICC obligations even at the cost of diplomatic friction with Israel and the United States.
Wider Context: Peace Process and Accountability
Carney’s comments come in the wake of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered as part of U.S. President Trump’s latest peace plan. The ceasefire has temporarily paused hostilities in Gaza, but tensions remain high, especially with the ICC continuing its investigation.
While Carney has stressed that Canada remains committed to Israel’s right to self-defense, he has also accused Netanyahu’s government of obstructing peace efforts, particularly by expanding settlements and marginalizing Palestinian leadership.
As debates continue over the role of international law in conflict resolution, the clash between Israel and Canada over the ICC may signal a broader divide between Western democracies on how to handle alleged war crimes by their allies and whether accountability should come before diplomacy.
