Israeli ministers could face first-ever international trial for apartheid

The arrest warrants against the two Israeli ministers, accused of apartheid, are ready, and two ICC Deputy Prosecutors are prepared to present the requests.

If arrest warrants are issued for Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s Minister of National Security, and Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s Minister of Finance, it would be the first time that the crime of apartheid is addressed in an international court.

According to multiple sources familiar with the matter at The Hague, Karim Khan, the ICC Prosecutor, had prepared cases against Ben-Gvir and Smotrich before going on leave in May.

A source at the ICC said the submission of requests for the arrest warrants has been fully completed.

Deputy Prosecutors at The Hague have the authority to submit requests for judicial review before a trial, but some within the ICC believe these requests may quietly be set aside due to unprecedented external pressure on the court.

The U.S. government sanctioned Karim Khan in February and he went on leave in May under foreign pressure.

In June, the U.S. sanctioned four ICC judges, including two judges who had approved Khan’s November request for arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, and Yoav Galant, his former Minister of Defense.

Recent reports indicate that Khan has faced multiple threats and warnings from various figures, including former UK Prime Minister David Cameron, as well as close colleagues and family friends. Concerns have also been raised about the Prosecutor General’s security, reportedly involving an Israeli Mossad cell in The Hague.