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Yoav Dudkevitch/TPS-IL on 9 March, 2025
‘The Hague Does Not Scare Me’: Ben-Gvir Dismisses ICC Arrest Threat
Jerusalem, 28 May, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir dismissed the possibility of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him on Wednesday, saying he would not be intimidated by threats from The Hague. His remarks followed a Wall Street Journal report that ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan was preparing to seek warrants for both Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich before going on leave amid a sexual misconduct investigation.
“I have one clear message to the Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court in The Hague: no arrest warrant of any kind will deter me from continuing to work for the people of Israel and the Land of Israel,” Ben-Gvir said. “The Prosecutor at The Hague does not scare me, does not threaten me. I will do everything necessary to protect my people—even at the cost of issuing a warrant against me. When The Hague is against me — I know I am on the right track.”
The Journal cited current and former ICC officials who said Khan was building a case against the two ministers over their roles in advancing Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. It is unclear whether Khan’s deputies will pursue the matter in his absence. The report noted potential U.S. sanctions and political fallout if the case proceeds.
The Journal recently reported that a Malaysian lawyer’s sexual allegations against Khan spurred the prosecutor to issue arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-defense minister Yoav Gallant in November.
Israel is not a member of the ICC and does not recognize its jurisdiction. The ICC charter prohibits the court from prosecuting nationals of countries with independent judiciaries.
At least 1,180 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 59 remaining hostages, 36 are believed to be dead.
