A senior Iranian diplomat suggests that nations supporting Palestine should consider imposing the death penalty on Israeli leaders.
According to Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, pro-Palestinian states could collaborate to issue a death sentence against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other high-ranking Israeli officials for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Following the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) issuance of arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant last month – based on accusations of war crimes and inhumane acts during Israel’s Gaza operation – Israel rejected the court’s jurisdiction and denied the allegations.
Gharibabadi, in an interview with state-run news website ISNA, argued that the ICC and the International Court of Justice (which is reviewing a genocide case against Israel) have a poor record of prosecuting Israelis. He stated that these UN-affiliated courts are unlikely to impose the death penalty, suggesting an alternative method for achieving capital punishment for Israeli officials. He asserted that a death sentence for Netanyahu is feasible.
“Many countries have abolished capital punishment, but over 55 still retain it,” the diplomat noted. “Therefore, two or three like-minded countries supporting Palestine and opposing [Israeli] crimes could establish a joint court and issue a death sentence for these officials.”
“We should explore this possibility,” Gharibabadi added.
Last month, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called for the death penalty for Netanyahu and Gallant.
Tensions between Iran and Israel have sharply escalated this year, marked by reciprocal strikes in April and October. Israel accuses Tehran of orchestrating the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, which ignited the current Gaza conflict. Iran denies this, claiming the militants acted independently, while pledging support for the “Palestinian resistance.”
According to Hamas-run authorities in Gaza, nearly 45,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s military operation began in the densely populated enclave. The UN has repeatedly warned of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and urged Israel to facilitate aid delivery.