A new report by Middle East Eye, featured in Al Jazeera on August 3, 2025, exposes a campaign of intimidation and political pressure against International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan during his investigation of Israeli officials for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
According to the report:
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In April 2024, then–UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron privately threatened Khan that the UK would defund and withdraw from the ICC if arrest warrants were issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
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In May 2024, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham similarly warned Khan of potential sanctions.
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Following through, the Trump administration later sanctioned Khan and four ICC judges.
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Khan was also warned by security officials that Israel’s Mossad was active in The Hague and could pose a personal threat.
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The threats escalated further when a British-Israeli lawyer at the ICC reportedly told Khan: “They will destroy you, and they will destroy the court.”
The pressure campaign coincided with allegations of sexual misconduct against Khan, which emerged shortly after the arrest warrants were issued. Though ICC investigations were closed after the accuser stopped cooperating, a UN inquiry is still ongoing. Khan has denied all allegations and is currently on indefinite leave.
Despite the threats, the ICC has issued warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif for war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from the October 7 attacks and the ensuing war in Gaza.