Karim Khan, the prosecutor behind war crimes charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is facing accusations of sexual misconduct. Khan has firmly rejected these claims, describing them as “completely false,” with some ICC officials suggesting that they might be part of a smear campaign orchestrated by Israeli intelligence.
The allegations emerged in early May when two colleagues reported that Khan allegedly coerced a female aide into a sexual relationship over a prolonged period, involving unwanted physical advances. An investigation by the ICC’s Independent Oversight Mechanism lasted five days but concluded since the aide chose not to file a formal complaint.
Those familiar with the situation noted that the investigative process lacked emotional support for the aide, who later decided against pursuing a complaint due to distrust in the system.
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‘A Full-On, Repeated Pattern of Conduct’
Khan was not interrogated during the oversight investigation, which recommended he limit contact with the aide to protect everyone’s rights. While she has not publicly commented, acquaintances described her hesitation as stemming from skepticism towards the ICC’s investigative procedures.
She has since requested an independent external inquiry from the Assembly of States Parties, the ICC’s governing body.
According to a source familiar with her claims, the misconduct was not a one-off incident, but rather a “full-on, repeated pattern of conduct” over time.
An ICC official stated that the request for an external investigation is currently being considered.
A 2020 review of the ICC’s workforce highlighted significant weaknesses in enforcing its “zero-tolerance” sexual harassment policy, with issues such as predatory behavior by male supervisors and a culture of fear discouraging staff from reporting misconduct.
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Khan’s Netanyahu Arrest Request
Established in 2002 under the Rome Statute, the ICC is tasked with prosecuting war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity when local courts fall short. This has attracted scrutiny from countries like Israel and the United States, which refuse to acknowledge the ICC’s authority.
On May 20, shortly after the internal investigation halted, Khan issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders, accusing them of war crimes. In response, President Biden voiced outrage over the implications of the prosecution’s charges.
Netanyahu has referred to the ICC’s actions as an “outrage of historic proportions,” amid an ongoing conflict in Gaza that has seen over 44,000 reported deaths, primarily among Palestinians.
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Additional Friction with Russia and Venezuela
Khan has stated he is “ready to cooperate” with any external inquiry and emphasized the importance of addressing allegations seriously. Since taking office in 2021, he has broadened ICC investigations beyond Africa, targeting leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin for alleged war crimes in Ukraine and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for oppressive actions against protesters.
His approach has attracted criticism, and after launching an investigation into Russian actions in Ukraine, the ICC encountered a cyberattack that significantly hindered its operations.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.