Shurat HaDin–Israel Law Center said it has filed criminal complaints with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague and Israel’s attorney general, alleging attempts to improperly influence ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan in connection with arrest warrants against Israeli officials.
The legal advocacy group said its submission, dated May 3, 2026, cites allegations that individuals linked to Qatar offered assistance or protection to Khan related to his decision to pursue warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The claims were based on reporting by The Wall Street Journal and described as drawing on an affidavit submitted to the FBI and audio recordings.
According to the complaint, intermediaries allegedly offered to “look after” Khan if he advanced the case. Khan has denied wrongdoing, while Qatar has dismissed the allegations as baseless.
Shurat HaDin said the alleged conduct could constitute violations under Article 70 of the Rome Statute, which addresses interference with the administration of justice, including attempts to corruptly influence court officials or tamper with evidence.
The group also raised concerns about the possible role of private intelligence firms, alleging they may have conducted surveillance, interfered with witnesses, or attempted to manipulate evidence connected to the ICC investigation into Israel and to separate sexual misconduct allegations involving Khan.
In a parallel request to Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, the organization called for a criminal investigation in Israel, arguing that the alleged actions could also constitute offenses under Israeli law, including aiding Hamas.
The filing calls for an independent inquiry and requests that key evidence, including the reported affidavit and recordings, be secured and reviewed to determine whether external influence affected the integrity of the proceedings.
“The International Criminal Court is not only a political body, but also a corrupt one. It too has fallen victim to the hostile and silent takeover of the Qatari octopus, whose money bribes officials and institutions around the world.”
The statement continued, “The court’s arrest warrants are nothing more than a blood libel, carried out by a person accused of serious crimes and by a state that sponsors terrorism. These warrants have fueled the delegitimization campaign against Israel and increased antisemitism around the world. This hunting campaign must stop now,” said Attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, founder and president of Shurat HaDin.
