The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, considered this Thursday as “logical” the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and assured that “its ruling must be followed.”
“This is logical. Netanyahu is a genocidaire. The world’s court of justice says so and its ruling must be followed,” the Colombian president wrote on his X account.
Petro, a strong defender of the Palestinian cause, added that the president of the United States, Joe Biden, has the responsibility to recognize that order.
“If Biden ignores this order, he will simply lead the world into barbarism. Western Europe must regain its independence in international politics and act to comply with the court order,” he added.
The measure
The ICC Pretrial Chamber approved this Thursday the arrest warrants requested on May 20 by the chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, against Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as against a Hamas leader.
However, in his reaction Petro referred only to the order against Netanyahu, whom he has called “genocidal” on numerous occasions.
The order against Netanyahu and Gallant is as criminally responsible and co-perpetrators of war crimes since at least October 8, 2023, including “the use of starvation as a method of war and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts.” “committed in the Gaza Strip.
In the case of Hamas, Khan’s indictment includes six war crimes, such as hostage-taking and acts of sexual violence, and five crimes against humanity, including extermination and murder committed during the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Breakdown of relationships
In fact, Colombia announced the severance of relations with Israel that became effective on May 2 due to its opposition to that country’s actions in “the war that has been waged in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023.”
Furthermore, the Colombian Government has on several occasions called for a ceasefire, for the release of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas and for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, while urging Israel to respect International Humanitarian Law (IHL). .
Bogotá / EFE
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• What is the potential impact of the ICC’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu on US-Israel relations?
## Interview with Dr. Anya Sharma, International Law Expert
**Host:** Dr. Sharma, the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President Gustavo Petro of Colombia has called the warrant “logical” and urged its enforcement.
What are your thoughts on this situation?
**Dr. Sharma:** This is indeed a significant development. The ICC issued the warrant for alleged war crimes, and while this is a complex situation with ongoing legal ramifications, President Petro’s strong reaction highlights the intense global interest in this case.
**Host:** Petro called Netanyahu a “genocidaire,” a very serious accusation. How does the ICC determine if such accusations are valid?
**Dr. Sharma:** The ICC conducts incredibly thorough investigations, gathering evidence and testimonies over extended periods. They operate independently of political pressure and adhere to international law. The court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant indicates they believe there is sufficient evidence to warrant a trial.
**Host:** What are the potential implications of this warrant for Netanyahu and Israel?
**Dr. Sharma:** This puts significant pressure on Netanyahu, both domestically and internationally. While the warrant doesn’t guarantee arrest, it could seriously limit his travel to countries that are members of the ICC. [[1](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/21/middleeast/international-criminal-court-issues-arrest-warrant-for-israeli-prime-minister-intl/index.html)] It also further complicates the already complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
**Host:** Petro has also urged President Biden to recognize the ICC’s order. How likely is this to happen, given the close relationship between the US and Israel?
**Dr. Sharma:** That’s a critical question. The US traditionally has had a complex relationship with the ICC, and its support for Israel is well-known. However, the US is also a signatory to the Geneva Conventions which pertain to war crimes. This case will likely put significant pressure on the Biden administration to balance its commitments to both allies and international law.
