UN Authorization for Meetings Between Officials of the Organization and 'Convicted' Israeli Leaders

On Thursday, November 22, the United Nations, referencing the arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by the International Criminal Court, announced that UN officials are not prohibited from meeting with Netanyahu for work purposes. The UN spokesperson, following the issuance of ICC warrants against Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, stated that the UN's policy regarding contact with individuals facing arrest warrants dates back to a document issued in 2013, which allows limited contacts to address fundamental issues, operational matters, and to fulfill duties with international convicts. Stephane Dujarric added, 'The rule is that there should be no contact between UN officials and individuals subject to arrest warrants; however, limited contacts with these officials, such as the UN Secretary-General's meeting with Russian President Putin in late October at the BRICS summit in Russia aimed at condemning his actions, are permissible.' Meanwhile, Israel designated UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as an 'undesirable element' and banned his entry into Israel. The ICC issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant on charges of 'war crimes' and 'crimes against humanity,' a move that has prompted widespread reactions. A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council stated in a statement sent to the Persian section of Voice of America, 'The United States fundamentally rejects the court's decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials.' This White House official emphasized that the United States is 'deeply concerned about the prosecutor's haste in issuing the arrest warrant and the problematic errors in the process leading to this decision.'