Argentina’s Nobel Peace Prize winner Adolfo Perez Esquibel has filed a petition in federal courts requesting that Argentina upheld its legal obligations under the International Criminal Court (ICC) and arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and if he enters the country.
Perez said Argentina must enforce the ICC ruling accusing Netanyahu of Gaza’s genocide and war crimes, announcing the filing of Argentina’s formal petition. “If he comes here and is invited by President (Javier) Mirei, logically he (Netanyahu) finds resistance and hopes that he will not come to the country,” Perez declared.
He reminded the government that Argentina recognizes the jurisdiction of the ICC and therefore cannot ignore the decision. Perez claims that “Israel military action” in Gaza intentionally targeted civilians, leading to the deaths of around 20,000 children and cannot be denied accountability.
Perez also criticized the Mairay administration for refusing to carry out an arrest order against Netanyahu and refusing to call the stance a betrayal of democratic principles. “The court’s position is clear,” he says, adding that the president’s rejection is “a negative sign of democracy,” revealing Argentina’s consistency between “Israel” and the United States.
Perez, a respected figure in Latin America’s human rights movement, won the 1980 Nobel Peace Prize. His latest intervention underlines his lifelong commitment to justice and his opposition to state oppression.
Netanyahu reportedly planned to visit Argentina after a trip to the US, but Israeli officials later said the visit was cancelled “for technical reasons.” The planned tour coincided with a period of strengthening diplomatic and military cooperation between Tel Aviv and Buenos Aires under President Milei, who was recently awarded the B’nai B’rith Award for “an unshakable commitment to Israel.”
Perez accused Washington of perpetuating the Gaza War by blocking the UN’s peace initiative, saying “The United States supports Israel even with the UN veto.” He described our policy as the biggest obstacle to peace, noting that US support allows “Israel” to continue to deny international law.
He further condemned the long-standing efforts of “Israel” to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state, and his powerful allies to enable its aggression. Perez argued that the UN had not fulfilled its mission, saying, “The UN must be reformed and democratized. We, the people of the world, want peace. And yet, we see the current situation. That’s very dangerous.”
The Nobel Prize winner also noted that a considerable number of Jews, Argentina, are also opposed to “Israel” attacks. He cited actor Norman Brisky, who faced anti-Semitic repulsion after denounced “Israel” actions. Perez highlighted the continued cooperation between Jews and pro-Palestinian activists through a “not our name” campaign to promote peaceful resolution and solidarity.
In his remarks, Perez praised global civil society initiatives such as the global SUMUD Flotilla, which seeks to break the “Israel” lockdown in Gaza and provide humanitarian assistance.
Pérez asked for an immediate end to the attack, saying, “Israel must stop this genocide, bombing hospitals, schools every day, destroying people’s lives. It’s really, very, very, very bad, and humanity must help.”
“On the other hand, European countries talk about their desire for peace, but they continue to help Israel. The UN is silent. The US continues to push to destroy the Palestinians.”
Through his legal appeal, Perez demands that Argentina choose justice over political alliances, and that it stands with the victims of Gaza rather than those who fight them.
MNA