ICC Prosecutor Files Secret Arrest Warrant Application Against Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich on Apartheid Charges

Middle East Eye reported, citing sources briefed on the matter, that the ICC prosecutor's office filed a sealed arrest warrant application against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on April 2, alleging forced displacement, population transfer to occupied territory, persecution, and apartheid as crimes against humanity 123. The OTP did not deny the filing; an ICC spokesperson separately told Reuters that no new warrants had been issued, a denial MEE noted addresses issuance but not the existence of an application 12. MEE disputed Israeli media reports, including from Haaretz, of five simultaneous warrant applications, stating a Ben-Gvir evidence review occurred last week without producing a filing; Ynet separately cited two Israeli officials who described the MEE account as credible 134. The application remains before the pre-trial chamber, with a ruling potentially months away 1.