The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on suspicion of “war crimes.”
The court said Thursday there were “reasonable grounds” to believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu and Gallant “deliberately and deliberately deprived civilians in Gaza of items essential to their survival.”
The ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif on suspicion of “crimes against humanity and war crimes.” Israel announced in August that Deif had been killed in an airstrike in southern Gaza.
ICC prosecutor Karim Khan first applied for the warrant six months ago. In August, Khan asked the court to issue a ruling, saying, “These unreasonable delays in proceedings have a negative impact on the rights of victims.”
Since the decision was announced, Israeli authorities have condemned the warrant, with Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev calling it “modern anti-Semitism disguised as justice.”
Some of the main reactions to the ICC decision are listed below.
Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office rejected the decision, calling the move “anti-Semitic” in a statement.
“Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and wrongful actions directed against it by the ICC,” the prime minister’s office said, adding that Israel intends to “succumb to pressure” to protect its people. He added that there was no.
In separate comments, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office referred to Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish army captain who was wrongly convicted of treason in France, and said the verdict was “comparable to the modern-day Dreyfus trial, with the same outcome.” Probably.”
Hamas
The group welcomed the decision to issue arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and Gallant, calling it “an important step toward justice.”
“[This]is an important step towards justice and could lead to relief for victims in general, but it will remain limited and symbolic unless countries around the world support it in every way possible.” ” said Hamas Politburo member Bassem Naim. statement.
Hamas also called on the ICC to extend its reach to other Israeli officials.
The group did not mention Deiff’s warrant.
people of gaza
Reporting from Deir El Bala in central Gaza, Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud said residents remained skeptical.
“This is met with a little skepticism…again, we know the United States’ unwavering support (for Israel),” he said.
“So people are very skeptical about the outcome of this arrest warrant, and it will be challenged by the US administration, whether it’s the (current) administration or the (incoming) administration, which has also expressed support for Israeli officials. It is said that
Palestinian Authority
The Palestinian Authority, which governs the occupied West Bank, said the ICC’s decision “expresses hope and confidence in international law and its institutions.”
It called on ICC member states to implement a “policy of cutting off contacts and talks” between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Gallant.
Jordan
Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the ICC’s decision must be respected and implemented. “Palestinians deserve justice,” he said.
US
The White House said Washington “fundamentally rejects” the ICC’s decision and is “deeply concerned by prosecutors’ haste to seek arrest warrants and the troubling procedural errors that led to this decision.” There is,” he added.
“The United States has made clear that the ICC has no jurisdiction over this matter,” a National Security Council spokesperson said.
Canada
“It’s very important that everyone abides by international law,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, adding that Canada would abide by the international tribunal’s ruling.
South Africa
In a statement, the government welcomed the ICC’s decision, saying it marks “an important step towards justice for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Palestine.”
“South Africa reaffirms its commitment to international law and calls on all States Parties to act in accordance with their Rome Statute obligations.”
“We call on the international community to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability for human rights violations.”
european union
Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the ICC’s warrant was not political and should be respected and implemented.
“This judgment is a binding decision and all countries, including all member states of the European Union, and all parties to the court are obliged to implement the decision of this court,” he said. said.
Netherlands
Foreign Minister Kasper Feldkamp said his country “respects the independence of the ICC.”
“We do not engage in unnecessary contact and act on arrest warrants. We fully comply with the ICC’s Rome Statute,” he added.
France
Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine said France would act “in line with the provisions of the ICC.”
However, Lemoine declined to say whether France would arrest Netanyahu if he entered the country, citing “legal complications.”
Norway
Foreign Minister Espen Bart Eide said: “It is important that the ICC carries out its mandate wisely. I am confident that the court will proceed with the case based on the highest fair trial standards.”
Ireland
Prime Minister Simon Harris said the warrant was a “hugely important step”.
He added that Ireland respects the role of the ICC and those in a position to help carry out its vital work must act with “urgency”.
Italy
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Taggiani said Rome would work with its allies to consider how to interpret the decision and act together. “We support the ICC…The court must play a legal role, not a political one,” he added.
Sweden
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmar Schnagård said Sweden and the EU “support the court’s important work and protect its independence and integrity.” It added that Swedish law enforcement authorities will decide to arrest persons subject to ICC warrants on Swedish territory.
Hungary
Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto condemned the ICC’s decision as a “shameful absurdity”, presidential spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs reported on X.
“This decision is a disgrace to international justice, as it equates the leaders of countries attacked by heinous terrorist attacks with the leaders of terrorist organizations responsible,” Szijjarto said. “This decision is unacceptable,” he added.
England
A spokesman for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain respected the independence of the ICC, but would not confirm whether Britain would comply with the warrant.
Austria
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg called the warrant incomprehensible and ridiculous, but Chancellor Schallenberg’s office also stated that Austria, as a party to the Rome Statute, is obligated to implement the ICC arrest warrant. He said that there is.
Switzerland
The Swiss Federal Attorney’s Office said it would have to arrest Netanyahu, Gallant and Masri if they entered Switzerland and began handing them over to the court, as they were obliged to cooperate with the ICC under the Rome Statute. .
Argentina
President Javier Millay told the X program that his country “declares its deep opposition” to the decision.
He wrote that the warrant “ignores Israel’s legitimate right to self-defense against constant attacks by terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah.”
turkey
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the ICC’s arrest warrant was a “hopeful” and important step toward bringing Israeli authorities to justice for their “genocide” against Palestinians.
“We will continue to work to ensure that international law to punish genocide is enforced,” Fidan added.
amnesty international
“The wheels of international justice have finally caught up with those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Palestine and Israel,” the human rights organization said in a statement.
He added: “There can be no ‘safe haven’ for people accused of committing war crimes or crimes against humanity.”
