Israel and its allies have strongly criticized the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to issue an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Meanwhile, Turkey and various human rights organizations have welcomed the move. The ICC also issued warrants for Israel’s former defense minister and Hamas’s military commander Mohammed Deif, citing allegations of crimes against humanity and war crimes during Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The charges stem from the events following Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023.
Israel:
Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the decision as “anti-Semitic,” likening it to the infamous Dreyfus affair, a 19th-century case of wrongful conviction of a Jewish French army captain.
United States:
The U.S. “fundamentally rejects” the ICC’s ruling, questioning the court’s jurisdiction and procedural fairness, according to a National Security Council spokesperson.
Argentina:
President Javier Milei expressed “deep disagreement,” asserting that the ruling undermines Israel’s right to self-defense against groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Hamas:
Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official, called the warrants a “step toward justice,” emphasizing the need for global support to ensure accountability.
European Union:
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell underscored the ICC’s independence, stating its decisions must be respected and implemented.
Victims and Advocates:
Israeli victims and advocacy groups like Amnesty International hailed the arrest warrants as significant progress toward accountability, while Human Rights Watch emphasized that no one is above the law.
Palestinian Authority:
The Palestinian Authority welcomed the move as a sign of hope for justice and called for ICC member states to sever ties with the indicted Israeli leaders.
Turkey:
Turkish officials praised the decision as a positive step toward ending violence and addressing alleged genocide in Palestine.
Other Nations:
Italy expressed reservations about equating Netanyahu’s actions with Hamas, while maintaining legal obligations under the ICC. Spain, Norway, and Sweden affirmed their commitment to upholding the court’s rulings, with Sweden highlighting the ICC’s integrity and independence.
