Story perspectives

ICC Requests Arrest Warrant for Israel's Finance Minister

5/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The International Criminal Court filed a request for an arrest warrant against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The request also names National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, though no warrant has been filed.
If judges approve, Smotrich would become the third Israeli with an ICC warrant after Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant.
Le Monde reported the investigations were frozen after Israel’s diplomatic pressure, international pressure and internal turmoil at the prosecutor’s office.

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Story summary

The International Criminal Court filed a request for an arrest warrant against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The request also names National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, though no warrant has been filed.
If judges approve, Smotrich would become the third Israeli with an ICC warrant after Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant.
Le Monde reported the investigations were frozen after Israel’s diplomatic pressure, international pressure and internal turmoil at the prosecutor’s office.