Canada would execute arrest warrant against Netanyahu, Trudeau suggests

(Ottawa) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggests that Canada would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he sets foot in the country, in accordance with the mandate issued by the International Criminal Court.

“Canada is one of the founders of our international law systems and we will always follow the decisions and regulations of these bodies,” he declared Thursday at a press conference in Toronto.

Called to clarify the Canadian position, neither Mr. Trudeau’s office nor that of his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, responded immediately to questions from The Canadian Press.

Before reporters, Mr. Trudeau reiterated the importance of respecting international law, his call for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and to find a path to the two-state solution “with a peaceful and peaceful Palestinian state.” safe next to a peaceful and secure Israeli state.

“We need a ceasefire,” he insisted. We need Hamas to lay down its weapons. We need to see the hostages freed. We need to have a lot more humanitarian aid delivered to those who need it. »

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas officials on Thursday, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

According to the International Criminal Court, these crimes occurred in the context of the war in Gaza and the October 2023 attacks which triggered Israel’s offensive in the Palestinian territory.

The move makes Mr. Netanyahu and the other defendants internationally wanted, potentially further isolating them and complicating efforts to negotiate a ceasefire to end the conflict.

In May, Mr. Trudeau refused to take a position when the ICC prosecutor general requested arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu, his defense minister and senior Hamas leaders.

Mr. Trudeau had affirmed that the tribunal is “independent” in its work and that it always calls for respect for international law. However, he found the “sense of equivalence” between Israel’s democratically elected leaders and the terrorists who lead Hamas “disturbing.”

With information from the Associated Press