ALBAWABA — The British government has officially acknowledged that David Cameron, the former foreign secretary, reached out directly to International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan. The purpose of this contact was to dissuade Khan from pursuing investigations connected to Israel's actions in Gaza. This marks the first time the government has confirmed the alleged political pressure surrounding the case.
The confirmation arrived after a Freedom of Information request from a research unit at the University of Westminster. This followed months of official silence, despite media reports that began circulating in mid-2024. In a letter dated January 16, 2026, UK officials stated that Cameron was the sole British official involved in a phone call with Khan on April 23, 2024.
This date corresponds with Khan's subsequent public statements, where he mentioned that a senior UK figure had cautioned him that Britain might cut its funding to the ICC if the court took legal action against Israeli leaders.
Khan was, at the time, drafting potential arrest warrants connected to alleged offenses during Israel's military operations in Gaza.
Middle East Eye reported that the call took place while Khan was officially visiting Venezuela, just weeks before he pursued warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant.
Worries About Judicial Independence
Academics and legal scholars are expressing serious concerns about the ICC's independence, especially considering Britain's diplomatic and military backing of Israel during the conflict. Sam Raphael, a University of Westminster professor, stated that the confirmation supports long-held suspicions that senior British officials attempted to sway the court at a crucial juncture.
He cautioned that such moves erode the foundations of a rules-based international order, and they also undermine efforts to hold those accused of war crimes accountable.
Former ICC staff have previously indicated that Cameron cautioned the action could have serious political repercussions in the UK. He also pointed out that prosecuting Israel was a fundamentally different situation than pursuing cases connected to Russia's war in Ukraine. Reports also suggested he raised the possibility of Britain cutting ICC funding or even withdrawing from the Rome Statute.
Growing demands for an inquiry are now echoing throughout the UK.
The revelation has spurred increased calls for an independent investigation, with legal experts contending that attempts to influence a prosecutor could constitute obstruction of justice under international law.
Several British MPs are pressing Prime Minister Keir Starmer to take immediate action.
This follows increased international scrutiny of the ICC, including U.S. sanctions aimed at Khan and other court officials connected to the Gaza investigation.
Khan, who has rejected separate allegations now undergoing internal review, has been on voluntary leave since the middle of 2025. Detractors point out that the timing of these allegations aligned with his legal efforts concerning Gaza, intensifying discussions about potential political meddling in international law.
