The government of Maldives has welcomed the decision to file for arrest warrants, for the arrests of Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defence of Israel Yoav Gallant, by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), before the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the Court regarding the situation in the State of Palestine.

In a statement publicized on Monday, the President’s Office stressed that the continuous aggression and genocidal acts perpetuated by Israel against the innocent people of Palestine are a blatant disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law.

Further, the government of Maldives asserts that the results of these aggressive actions have translated into a large-scale humanitarian catastrophe.

This said, Maldives echoes the belief of the Prosecutor that both Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant must bear criminal responsibility for the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the people of Palestine.

Maldives has stressed on the significance of abiding by the norms of international law and upholding the values of justice and accountability, as a State Party to the Rome Statute.

Further, the government of Maldives remains committed to its belief in the impartiality and integrity of the court and if confident that the prosecutor has submitted ample evidence to support the claims of war crimes committed by Israel.

Maldives has and will remain steadfast in supporting the people of Palestine in their relentless struggle to attain their right to self-determination and statehood.

The island nation has on multiple occasions reiterated its call on the international community for a lasting and just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the establishment of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital in line with the pre-1967 borders.