The Israeli Kan Broadcasting Corporation reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has canceled planned visits to the Czech Republic and Hungary on his way to the United States for a congressional address. This decision comes amid concerns about a potential arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Netanyahu had initially considered stopping in these European countries due to the lack of a direct transatlantic flight. However, to avoid the risk of arrest, he opted to travel directly to Washington on a public airliner.
The ICC's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, is reportedly seeking arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Security Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity, alongside Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, and Mohammad Deif. This move has elicited strong reactions from Israel and its allies.
In July, Israel asked 25 countries to oppose the arrest warrants. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz sent letters to 25 foreign ministers worldwide, urging them to submit a legal opinion to the ICC against the prosecutor's request.
Senior officials in Israel's Foreign Ministry believe that if these countries provide such legal opinions, it might convince the ICC judges to reject the prosecutor's request for arrest warrants.
