Overview

• Israel formally contested the ICC's jurisdiction and the legality of arrest warrants for PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
• The ICC prosecutor sought the arrest warrants in May, accusing Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government suspended 30 arms export licenses to Israel, citing concerns over violations of international humanitarian law.
• Netanyahu criticized the UK for sending 'mixed messages' by supporting Israel's right to self-defense while blocking arms sales and not contesting the ICC's request.
• The diplomatic tension comes amid heightened conflict in Gaza, with Israel's counter-attacks following a deadly Hamas assault on October 7.