Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has claimed that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has secretly applied for an arrest warrant against him. In response, he warned that he would wage a “war” against the Palestinian Authority. Smotrich also stated that he had ordered the evacuation of the Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar in the occupied West Bank, describing it as a move to weaken the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the territory under limited self-rule agreements with Israel.

He accused the Palestinian Authority of supporting international legal actions against Israel, which he said had fueled current tensions. Palestinian official Wasel Abu Youssef called the eviction plan “very dangerous” and urged international intervention. The ICC prosecutor’s office declined to comment, citing confidentiality, and reiterated its commitment to neutrality in investigations and warrant processes.

The ICC previously issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes. Analysts noted that any new ICC warrant against an Israeli official could further strain relations between Israel and its allies, including the United States.