Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticised the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants for him and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, calling the ruling “antisemitic.”
In a statement, Netanyahu’s office said that Israel “strongly rejects the ridiculous and false accusations made by the ICC,” and stated that the prime minister would not “give in to pressure” as he works to protect Israel’s people.
The ICC alleges that Netanyahu and Gallant are responsible for causing hunger in Gaza and mistreating Palestinians, stemming from Israel’s military actions in response to Hamas’s October 7 attacks on southern Israel.
Gallant, who was dismissed as defence minister earlier this month due to disagreements with Netanyahu about military operations, has not yet commented on the ruling.
Israeli politicians, including critics of Netanyahu, are all speaking out against the ICC’s decision. Naftali Bennett, a past Prime Minister, said the warrants are a “disgrace” for the ICC, not Israel’s leaders. Yair Lapid, the opposition leader, called the ruling a “reward for terrorism.”
Benny Gantz, who was part of Netanyahu’s team after the Hamas attack, criticised the ICC for being “morally blind,” calling their decision a “shameful mistake of historic size.”
Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Security Minister, wants a strong response, suggesting they should take control of the West Bank and stop working with the Palestinian Authority. He said, “The answer to the arrest warrants is taking control of Judea and Samaria and expanding settlements.”
The ICC’s decision has caused strong reactions during the ongoing conflict, which has badly hurt Gaza and increased tensions in the area.
