Australian Foreign Minister Backs ICC’s ‘Independence’ Amid Warrant for Netanyahu and Hamas Leader

The ICC has issued arrest warrants against Israeli leaders and a Hamas commander.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong speaks during a joint press conference following an Australia and South Korea Foreign and Defence Ministers meeting on May 1, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. Asanka Brendon Ratnayake-Pool/Getty Images

The Australian Labor government has expressed support for the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas commander Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) stated there was sufficient evidence to suggest Netanyahu and Gallant may be criminally responsible for alleged war crimes, including the use of starvation as a weapon, and targeting civilians in Gaza.