ICC Prosecutor Seeks Arrest Warrant for Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has reportedly requested a confidential arrest warrant against Bezalel Smotrich over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israeli policies and settler activity in the occupied West Bank.

Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem on Tuesday, Smotrich confirmed that he had been informed of the move, though the ICC has not publicly announced any new warrant. The court declined to comment, citing the confidentiality of ongoing legal proceedings.

According to multiple reports, the allegations against Smotrich include the forced displacement of Palestinians, expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied territory, persecution, and possible apartheid-related crimes under international law.

Smotrich condemned the reported ICC action, calling it “a declaration of war” against Israel.

“Issuing arrest warrants against the Prime Minister is a declaration of war. Issuing arrest warrants against the Defense Minister and against the Finance Minister is a declaration of war. And in the face of a declaration of war, we will respond with war,” he said during the briefing.

The far-right Israeli minister also accused the Palestinian Authority of orchestrating a legal and diplomatic campaign against Israel through international institutions. Following his remarks, Smotrich reportedly announced new measures targeting Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, including steps toward the demolition of the Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar.

The development comes amid growing international scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the West Bank. In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza war.

Israel does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC, although the court maintains that it has authority over crimes committed in the Palestinian territories because Palestine became a member state in 2015.

Several Western countries, including the UK, previously imposed sanctions on Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over accusations of inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.