The Colombian Foreign Ministry announced, this Friday, November 22, that “recognize and comply” the arrest warrants of the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu; former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and against Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
(See: Colombia’s commercial relationship with Israel, in turbulence after a year of conflict).
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Government of Colombia, expresses its recognition and compliance with the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel; Yoav Gallant, former Israeli Defense Minister, and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza and the West Bank“, indicated the Foreign Ministry in a statement.
(See: It is one year since Hamas attacked Israel: this has happened since then).
Furthermore, the Foreign Ministry reaffirmed “its commitment to peace, inside and outside its borders” and reiterated its position “in the face of what has been happening with the Palestinian people and the genocidal action perpetrated by the Government of Israel“.
“The Colombian Government reiterates its firm conviction in the principles of multilateralism and an international order based on international law. Therefore, it respects and will abide by the decisions issued by the ICC and other bodies in charge of dispensing justice at a global level.“he concluded.
Gustavo Petro and Benjamin Netanyahu.
President Gustavo Petro already recognized, on Thursday the 21st, the ICC’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu, ensuring that “its ruling must be respected.”
(See: The ICC issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu for war crimes in Gaza).
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, the accusation includes six war crimes, such as hostage-taking and acts of sexual violence, and five against humanity, including extermination and murder committed during attacks on October 7, 2023.
(See: It goes no further: Qatar withdraws as mediator in the war in the Gaza Strip).
EFE
