ICC prosecutor: states trying to remove me after Netanyahu warrant | The David Hearst Podcast

In an interview on The David Hearst Podcast, International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan warns of a “dangerous” attempt by some member states to remove him from office, despite a panel of judges finding no evidence of misconduct. Khan discusses the political pressure facing the court following his decision to seek arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. He describes an unprecedented situation in which judges’ findings are being challenged, raising concerns about due process and the independence of international justice. He says: “The judges made a unanimous finding… there was no misconduct.” “If a process can be subverted… this is a template for getting rid of any elected official.” “Power cannot silence law.” Khan also details the pressure he faced from Western officials, including threats of sanctions and political intervention, as well as broader questions about whether international law can be applied equally. Watch the full interview on The David Hearst Podcast. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: ICC, Gaza and arrest warrants 02:39 – Cleared of misconduct allegations 05:06 – Why are states rejecting judges’ findings? 07:35 – Due process and political pressure 10:43 – UN findings and independent review 12:25 – Is this a political attempt to remove him? 14:12 – Leaks and breach of confidentiality 15:15 – Could he be removed from office? 18:35 – Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant 21:46 – Accountability and international law 22:35 – Threats and attempts to dissuade him 26:38 – Why target senior Israeli leaders 29:45 – Surveillance and security threats 32:22 – US pressure and sanctions threats 33:49 – Call from former UK foreign secretary David Cameron 36:36 – Reaction to UK pressure 40:10 – Focus on victims and justice 41:18 – Impact of sanctions on ICC work 43:07 – Internal divisions within the court 45:04 – Silence during investigation 46:24 – Is the rules-based order collapsing? 50:38 – Will Netanyahu face justice? Support stories that matter. Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @middleeasteye   Catch previous episodes of MEE LIVE, our biweekly news programme exploring the stories shaping our world through breaking coverage, expert analysis, and hard-hitting interviews. Originally airing Tuesdays & Thursdays at 12pm ET | 5pm BST Got a story tip or question? Reach us at [email protected] Subscribe to our channel: http://ow.ly/AVlW30n1OWH Subscribe to MEE Telegram channel to stay up to date: https://t.me/MiddleEastEye_TG Middle East Eye Website: https://middleeasteye.net Follow us on TikTok:   / middleeasteye   Follow us on Instagram:   / middleeasteye   Like us on Facebook:   / middleeasteye   Follow us on Twitter:   / middleeasteye