The Hague: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants for him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, labeling the ruling as “antisemitic.”
In a statement from his office on Thursday, Netanyahu expressed strong rejection of the ICC’s actions, describing them as “absurd and false.” He emphasized that Israel would not “give in to pressure” in its efforts to defend its citizens.
The ICC, based in The Hague, stated there are reasonable grounds to believe that both Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility for causing starvation in Gaza and for the persecution of Palestinians. These allegations come in the context of Israel’s military response following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, citing alleged war crimes related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The warrants expose Netanyahu and Gallant to potential arrest if they travel to countries that are parties to the ICC.
The court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, initiated the request for the warrants in May, asserting that there were reasonable grounds to believe that both Netanyahu and Gallant had criminal responsibility for causing mass starvation in Gaza, actions deemed as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
On Thursday, the ICC determined that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Deif was involved in crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, and hostage-taking, connected to the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis, primarily civilians.
The United States has previously supported ICC warrants against Russian officials for war crimes in Ukraine but has criticized the court’s pursuit of Netanyahu and Gallant. This stance has drawn accusations of double standards from numerous countries, particularly in the Global South.
In a unanimous ruling, the three-judge panel stated that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant intentionally deprived the civilian population in Gaza of essential resources, such as food, water, and medical supplies.
Israel has consistently rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction, asserting that it does not recognize the court’s authority and denies any allegations of war crimes in Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has filed legal briefs challenging the ICC’s jurisdiction, arguing that the court did not allow Israel to conduct its own investigations before issuing the warrants.
While some countries have historically ignored ICC warrants, Netanyahu and Gallant now face the risk of arrest in any nation that is a signatory to the 1998 Rome Statute.
In its statement regarding Deif, the ICC found reasonable grounds to believe that he is responsible for multiple serious crimes, including murder and sexual violence, particularly in the context of the October 7 attacks.
Khan has also sought warrants for other senior Hamas leaders, Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, who have reportedly been killed in the conflict. Though Israel claims to have killed Deif in an airstrike, Hamas has not confirmed his status.
The warrants come at a critical time for Khan, who is under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct. He has denied the allegations and expressed his willingness to cooperate with the investigation.
The arrest warrants may intensify international pressure on Netanyahu’s government as the U.S. aims to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. However, they could also bolster Netanyahu’s domestic standing, as many Israelis view the ICC’s actions as unwarranted interference in Israel’s internal affairs.
President Joe Biden has publicly stated that he believes Netanyahu is not doing enough to secure a ceasefire, amid ongoing violence that has devastated both Gaza and Israel. The conflict has had far-reaching consequences, affecting lives throughout the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon and the West Bank.
As the situation continues to evolve, comprehensive, fact-checked reporting is essential to understanding the implications of this conflict.
