Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), expressed bewilderment at the International Criminal Court's (ICC) delay in seeking an arrest warrant for “Israel’s” far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich.

Also Read: “Israel to build new settlement for each country recognizing Palestine”: Smotrich

Albanese accused Smotrich of being a key figure behind what she termed as “Israel’s” “genocidal policies” against Palestinians.

This sharp critique followed the “Israeli” cabinet's decision to approve Smotrich's plan to legitimize five settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank.

“Even considering the significant political pressure on the ICC, I really don’t understand why the ICC Prosecutor has not yet requested an arrest warrant against this man, who is a key mastermind of Israel’s genocidal policies against the Palestinians,” Albanese posted on X.

Even considering the significant political pressure on the #ICC, I really don't understand why the ICC Prosecutor has not yet requested an arrest warrant against this man, who is a key mastermind of Israel's genocidal policies against the Palestinians. https://t.co/1JeSvIThTP

— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) June 30, 2024

On Thursday, the “Israeli” Cabinet endorsed Smotrich's proposals aimed at legalizing settlement outposts in the West Bank and imposing sanctions on the Palestinian Authority (PA).

These outposts are typically small settlements established on private Palestinian land without formal government approval. However, under international law, all such settlements and outposts are deemed illegal.

Also Read: International Criminal Court prosecutor seeks arrest warrant against Netanyahu for “war crimes”

On May 20, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan requested international arrest warrants for “Israeli” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

They are charged with war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide for actions taken against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since October 7.