Jerusalem [Israel]: Israel has strongly rejected the authority and legitimacy of the International Criminal Court (ICC) following its issuance of arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes.
In a series of posts shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated, “Israel denies both the authority of the ICC and the legitimacy of the arrest warrants.”
The State of Israel denies the authority of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague and the legitimacy of the arrest warrants that have been issued against the Prime Minister and the former Defense Minister.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) November 27, 2024
Allegations and Israel’s Response
The ICC accuses Netanyahu and Gallant of targeting civilians and implementing starvation policies in Gaza. Israel has dismissed these charges as baseless and politically motivated.
The Prime Minister’s Office noted, “Israel’s notice of appeal shows in detail to what degree the decision to issue the arrest warrants was baseless and without any factual or legal foundation whatsoever.”
Israel also announced its intention to appeal to the ICC while demanding a delay in implementing the warrants. The posts highlighted, “Should the ICC reject the appeal, this will underscore to Israel’s friends in the US and around the world how biased the ICC is against the State of Israel.”
US Support Against ICC
Prime Minister Netanyahu recently met US Senator Lindsey Graham in Jerusalem. According to the posts, Graham updated Netanyahu on his efforts in the US Congress to counter the ICC and nations cooperating with it.
Earlier, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre criticized the ICC’s decision in a press briefing, stating, “We fundamentally reject the court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials.” She also expressed concern about procedural flaws in the court’s actions.
Jean-Pierre reaffirmed US support for Israel, stating, “We fundamentally reject that the ICC has jurisdiction over the situation.”
Broader Context
The ICC’s arrest warrants come amid escalating tensions between Israel and Gaza, where allegations of civilian targeting and blockades have drawn international scrutiny. However, Israel, supported by the US, continues to challenge the court’s jurisdiction and intentions.
This episode has further polarized opinions on the ICC’s role in global justice, with Israel and its allies asserting the court’s alleged bias against the Jewish state.