Impartiality in Question: ICC Judge's Background Under Scrutiny

Israel questions ICC judge's impartiality in a panel deciding on arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, including Netanyahu. Concerns arise from the judge's previous role with the ICC's Office of the Prosecutor. The decision faces delays, with previous judge replacements and jurisdiction challenges contributing to the prolonged process.

Israel has expressed concerns regarding the impartiality of an International Criminal Court (ICC) judge currently serving on a panel deliberating whether to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This development could potentially delay the court's decision in the high-profile case.

Originally filed in May by the ICC's chief prosecutor, the request for arrest warrants targets Netanyahu, former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders, accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza war. The decision has already been postponed multiple times due to legal challenges from Israel questioning the ICC's jurisdiction.

Most recently, Romanian magistrate Iulia Motoc requested to leave the panel, citing health reasons, and was succeeded by Slovenian Judge Beti Hohler. Israel's Office of the Attorney-General has called Hohler's impartiality into question, given her prior employment with the ICC's Office of the Prosecutor. The Attorney-General's statement, dated November 11, requests clarification from Hohler on whether there are any grounds for doubting her impartiality.

(With inputs from agencies.)