Australia has cautiously backed the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC) but refused to directly refer to the arrest warrants issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Anadolu reports.

“Australia respects the independence of the ICC and its important role in upholding international law,” said Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

Calling on all parties to comply with international law, Wong added that Australia is “focused on working with countries that want peace to press for an urgently needed cease-fire.”