The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged “war crimes.”
The court said Thursday that there were “reasonable grounds” to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant had “intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population of Gaza of items essential to their survival.”
The ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif for “crimes against humanity and war crimes.” Israel said in August that Deif was killed in an airstrike in southern Gaza.
ICC prosecutor Karim Khan first requested the warrants six months ago. In August, Khan called on the court to make a decision, saying: “Any undue delay in these proceedings undermines the rights of victims.”
Since the decision was announced, Israeli officials have criticized the arrest warrants, with Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev calling them “modern anti-Semitism under the guise of justice.”
Here are some of the main reactions to the ICC decision:
Israel
Netanyahu’s office rejected the decision and called the decision “anti-Semitic” in a statement.
“Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions launched against it by the ICC,” his office said, adding that Israel would not “bow to pressure” to defend its citizens.
In separate comments, Netanyahu’s office said the decision was comparable to “the modern-day Dreyfus trial – and it will end the same way,” referring to Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish army captain who was wrongly convicted of treason in France.
Hamas
The group welcomed the decision to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, calling it “an important step toward justice.”
“(It is) an important step towards justice and can lead to reparation for victims in general, but it remains limited and symbolic if it is not supported in every way by all countries in the world,” he said. said Basem Naim, a member of the Hamas political bureau. a declaration.
Hamas also called on the ICC to extend its scope to other Israeli officials.
The group did not mention the arrest warrant for Deif.
People in Gaza
Reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, Tel Aviv Tribune’s Hani Mahmoud said residents remained skeptical.
“This is taken with a bit of skepticism…again, we know the United States’ unwavering support (for Israel),” he said.
“So people are very suspicious of the outcome of this arrest warrant and say it could be challenged by the U.S. administration, whether it’s the (current) administration or the (new administration) , who also pledged his support to Israeli officials. »
Palestinian Authority
The Palestinian Authority, which governs the occupied West Bank, said “the ICC’s decision represents hope and confidence in international law and its institutions.”
He urged ICC members to implement “a policy of severing contacts and meetings” with Netanyahu and Gallant.
Jordan
Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the ICC decision must be respected and implemented. “The Palestinians deserve justice,” he said.
UNITED STATES
“The ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous,” President Joe Biden said in a statement.
“Let me be clear once again: whatever the ICC may suggest, there is no equivalence – none – between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security. »
The White House also expressed concern over the prosecutor’s “rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision.”
“The United States has made clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter,” a National Security Council spokesperson said.
Canada
“It’s really important that everyone respects international law,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, adding that Canada would respect the decisions of international courts.
South Africa
In a statement, the government welcomed the ICC’s decision and said it marked an “important step towards justice for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Palestine.”
“South Africa reaffirms its commitment to international law and urges all States Parties to act in accordance with their obligations under the Rome Statute,” the text reads.
“We call on the global community to uphold the rule of law and ensure that those responsible for human rights violations are held accountable. »
European Union
Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the ICC arrest warrants were not political and must be respected and implemented.
“This decision is a binding decision and all States, all States parties to the Court, including all members of the European Union, are required to implement this decision of the Court,” he said .
The Netherlands
Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said his country “respects the independence of the ICC.”
“We will not engage in non-essential contact and will follow through on arrest warrants. We fully respect the Rome Statute of the ICC,” he added.
France
France would act “in accordance with the statutes of the ICC,” declared Christophe Lemoine, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
However, he refused to say whether France would arrest Netanyahu if he came to the country, saying it was “legally complex.”
Norway
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said: “It is important that the ICC fulfills its mandate wisely. I am confident that the court will pursue the case based on the highest standards of fair trial. »
Ireland
Prime Minister Simon Harris said the mandates were “a hugely important step”.
He added that Ireland respects the role of the ICC and that anyone who is able to help it carry out its vital work should do so “as a matter of urgency”.
Italy
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Rome would consider with its allies how to interpret the decision and act together. “We support the ICC… the court must play a legal role, not a political role,” he added.
Suede
Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said Sweden and the EU “support the important work of the Court and protect its independence and integrity.” Swedish law enforcement authorities decide on the arrest of people subject to ICC arrest warrants on Swedish territory, she added.
Hungary
Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto condemned the ICC decision, calling it “shameful and absurd,” presidential spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs reported on X.
“This decision dishonors the international justice system by equating the leaders of a country attacked by a heinous terrorist attack with the leaders of the terrorist organization responsible,” Szijjarto said, adding: “Such a decision is unacceptable.”
United Kingdom
Britain respects the independence of the ICC, a spokesman for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, without confirming whether Britain would respect arrest warrants.
Belgium
“The fight against impunity wherever crimes are committed is a priority for Belgium, which fully supports the work of the (ICC),” the Foreign Ministry said on X.
“Those responsible for crimes committed in Israel and Gaza must be prosecuted at the highest level, regardless of who committed them. »
Austria
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg called the arrest warrant incomprehensible and ridiculous, but his office also said that as a party to the Rome Statutes, Austria was obliged to carry out the arrest warrants. judgment of the ICC.
Swiss
The Swiss Federal Office of Justice said it was obliged to cooperate with the ICC under the Rome Statute and would therefore have to arrest Netanyahu, Gallant or Masri if they entered Switzerland and request their extradition to the Court.
Argentina
President Javier Milei said on X that his country “declares its deep disagreement” with the decision.
He wrote that the mandate “ignores Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself against constant attacks by terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah.”
Türkiye
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the ICC arrest warrant was a “hopeful” and crucial step in bringing to justice Israeli authorities who committed “genocide” against Palestinians.
“We will continue to work to ensure that international law is applied to punish genocide,” Fidan added.
International amnesty
The human rights organization said on X that “the wheels of international justice have finally caught up with those allegedly responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Palestine and Israel.”
“There can be no ‘safe haven’ for those suspected of having committed war crimes and crimes against humanity,” the text adds.
Human rights monitoring
“The ICC’s arrest warrants for senior Israeli leaders and a Hamas official shatter the perception that some individuals are beyond the reach of the law. »
