Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has requested an arrest warrant against him. Multiple outlets report that Smotrich made the claim on Tuesday, describing the move as “secret” or “confidential,” and he says he expects the process is being driven by the Palestinian Authority. Smotrich does not provide detailed information about the grounds for the request.
In response, Smotrich says Israel would retaliate against the Palestinian Authority and has tied his reaction to actions in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. France 24 and other outlets report that he says he will order the evacuation of the Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar, which is located in the West Bank and is described as a Palestinian village under limited self-rule arrangements.
Al Jazeera also notes that Smotrich is the third Israeli official mentioned by the ICC in relation to alleged war crimes in Gaza, following former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Separately, The Hindu reports that Smotrich has previously faced international sanctions tied to allegations of incitement to violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
