DUBLIN: Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris has said that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Ireland after the International Court of Justice issues an arrest warrant, he is ready to arrest him.
According to a Reuters report, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris was asked during an interview with state broadcaster RTE whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be arrested if he visits Ireland. He replied, “Yes, absolutely, because we cooperate with the International Court of Justice and we will execute their warrants.”
He said that Ireland will also execute the warrants issued against Hamas official Mohammed Zeif, while the International Court of Justice did not clarify whether he was martyred or alive.
Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin said that he disagreed with US President Joe Biden’s stance in calling the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Uvo Gallant ridiculous.
He said that war crimes have been committed in Gaza, and punishing people indiscriminately is truly genocide.
It should be noted that relations with Israel have been bad since Ireland recognized Palestine as a state in May this year, and Israel also recalled its ambassador after this decision.
The International Court of Justice has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Uvo Gallant for committing atrocities against humanity and war crimes in Gaza from October 2023 to May 2024.
The International Court of Justice said in its ruling that there is sufficient evidence that the two individuals deliberately deprived the civilian population in Gaza of food, water, medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity.
In addition, the International Court of Justice has also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas leader Muhammad Deif.