Downing Street today refused to rule out the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits Britain, after the Israeli prime minister received an international arrest warrant for “war crimes” in Gaza.

The International Criminal Court, which Foreign Secretary David Lammy said last month Britain “supports”, today issued warrants to Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas leaders.

The announcement of a case charging them with crimes against humanity sparked an uproar in Israel as Netanyahu denounced what he said was false equivalence between him and the terrorist organization’s chief.

No10 today also said there was no “moral equivalence” between the democratically elected leader of Israel and terrorist leaders, and Israel has the right to defend itself.

But when asked if Netanyahu risked arrest if he made a state visit to the UK, the prime minister’s spokesman declined to discuss “hypothetical” situations, adding that the government “respects the independence of the judiciary”.

It is understood that the ICC order must be ratified by a UK court before it becomes valid.

Last month Mr Lammy told Labor MPscontinues to support the ICC’ and adds: ‘Both ICC and the ICJ should be able to carry out its work free from political interference.’

And Attorney General Lord Hermer used a newspaper interview saying the government would not do “anything to undermine the work of the ICC” and would “abide by our legal obligations.”

Shadow Secretary of State Dame Priti Patel said the order was “deeply disturbing and provocative,” adding: “The Labor government must condemn and challenge the ICC’s decision.”

The International Criminal Court, which Foreign Secretary David Lammy said last month Britain “supports”, today issued warrants to Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant (together above), as well as Hamas leaders.

Last month Lammy told MPs that Labor “continues to support the ICC”, adding: “Both the ICC and the ICJ should be able to continue their work free from political interference.”

Labor and the former Labor left have called on the Prime Minister to bring back the International Criminal Court,

The rulings against Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, center on allegations that Israel has used food as a weapon in its campaign against Hamas in Gaza, a charge Israeli officials deny.

Experts have warned that hunger has spread across Gaza and may have reached starvation levels in the north of the territory, which is under siege by Israeli troops.

The International Criminal Court’s action came as the death toll from Israel’s campaign in Gaza passed 44,000, according to local health authorities, who say more than half of those killed were women and children.

Their count makes no distinction between civilians and combatants.

Netanyahu condemned the arrest warrant against him, saying Israel “abhors the court’s absurd and false actions”. In a statement from his office, he said: “There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has waged in Gaza.”

The decision makes Netanyahu and the others international wanted suspects and could further isolate them, as well as complicate efforts to negotiate a ceasefire.

But its practical consequences may be limited because Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court.

“We will not enter into hypotheticals. We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire to end the devastating violence,” the prime minister’s official spokesman said when asked if Britain would obey the order.

A domestic legal process must be carried out through the UK courts which decide whether or not to approve the warrant under the UK’s International Criminal Court Act 2001.

The spokesman added: “We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court, which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern.

“This government has been clear that Israel has a right to defend itself under international law. There is no moral equivalent between Israel, a democracy, and Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, which are terrorist organizations.

“We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire to end the devastating violence in Gaza which is critical to protecting civilians, securing the release of hostages and increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza.”

Sir Keir is also facing pressure to support the decision from Labor and former Labor left.

Bell Ribeiro-Addy, the Labor MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, said the decision was oneimportant development, which comes far too late for the 44,000 already killed in Gaza.

“If international law means anything and if there is any hope of stopping future atrocities against civilians, these men must be brought to justice,” she added.

“The UK government must take notice, comply with the ICC and end our country’s complicity in war crimes.”

Richard Burgon, Socialist Campaign Group secretary who lost the Labor whip earlier this year for rebelling in a benefits vote, added: ‘I welcome the arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his former defense minister.

Their barbaric crimes are plain for all to see. Our government must commit to enforcing these warrants. And governments must now impose sanctions on Israel to stop more war crimes.’