Israel's Netanyahu Declares ICC Arrest Order Won't Deter National Defense

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant will not hinder Israel's self-defense efforts amid accusations of war crimes.

P24 News Media

November 22, 2024

1 minute

Israel's Netanyahu Declares ICC Arrest Order Won't Deter National Defense

India

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) will not impact Israel's commitment to its national defense. In a statement released via video on Thursday, he expressed his unwavering stance, asserting that Israel will continue to defend itself “without yielding to pressure.” This response comes alongside accusations against him and former defense minister Yoav Gallant concerning war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Netanyahu emphasized that the ICC, originally designed to uphold human rights, has transformed into what he labeled “an enemy of humanity.” He referred to the court's recent decision as a “dark day in the history of nations” and dismissed the charges against him as “utterly baseless.” Since the eruption of conflict on October 7, 2023, triggered by a cross-border attack from Hamas militants resulting in widespread casualties, the situation has escalated significantly.

Official Israeli data indicates that the initial attack resulted in the deaths of 1,206 individuals, predominantly civilians. In response, Israel has undertaken a military campaign that, according to reports from Gaza’s Hamas-controlled health ministry, has claimed the lives of approximately 44,056 individuals, most of whom are also civilians. This has led various UN agencies to warn of a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, raising alarms about potential famine due to acute shortages of food and medical supplies. The ICC has announced that there are “reasonable grounds” to suspect that both Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility for war crimes committed in Gaza.

These allegations include using starvation as a strategy of warfare, as well as acts that constitute crimes against humanity, such as murder, persecution, and other inhumane behaviors. Netanyahu vehemently rejected these assertions, labeling them as “fictitious crimes” while stating that the genuine war crimes perpetrated against Israel and other nations are being overlooked. In addition to Netanyahu and Gallant, the ICC has also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas' military branch.

There were reports from Israel suggesting that Deif had been killed in an airstrike last July, although Hamas has not confirmed his demise. Netanyahu further criticized the ICC's decision to warrant arrest for “the body of Mohammed Deif,” underscoring the contentious nature of the ongoing conflict and the complexities surrounding accountability and justice in times of war. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community remains divided, with calls for both accountability and the protection of human rights amidst escalating violence and humanitarian crises in the region.