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OTTAWA – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney affirmed on Monday that his government will enforce the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, committing to detain the Israeli leader should he set foot on Canadian soil.

The declaration upholds a policy initiated by his predecessor, Justin Trudeau, and underscores Canada’s stance on international legal accountability.

“Our government respects international law and the principle of accountability,” Carney stated during a press briefing. “Canada will treat the ICC’s warrant as it does any binding international judicial order and will fulfill its obligations accordingly.”

The ICC, based in The Hague, issued arrest warrants earlier this year for Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The court has accused them of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the recent conflict in Gaza.

As a signatory to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, Canada is legally bound to cooperate with the court, which includes executing its arrest warrants. This legal obligation places Ottawa in a delicate diplomatic position with a key ally.

The Prime Minister's statement confirms that the legal process would be initiated immediately upon Netanyahu's entry into Canada, potentially escalating tensions between the two nations.