Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fiercely condemned the arrest warrant issued against him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict. Netanyahu vowed that the warrant would not deter him from defending Israel and described the ICC’s decision as “outrageous and anti-Israel.”
In a video statement released Thursday, Netanyahu declared, “No outrageous anti-Israel decision will prevent us—and it will not prevent me—from continuing to defend our country in every way.” He emphasized his government’s commitment to resisting international pressure and dismissed the allegations as “utterly baseless.”
Netanyahu criticized the ICC for what he called a betrayal of its foundational purpose. “The International Criminal Court in The Hague, which was established to protect humanity, has today become the enemy of humanity,” he stated, characterizing the charges as “fictitious crimes.”
The ICC issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, citing “reasonable grounds” to believe they were criminally responsible for acts including murder, persecution, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war. The court’s decision comes amidst ongoing international scrutiny of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Since the conflict erupted in October 2023, following a cross-border attack by Hamas militants that killed 1,206 Israelis, Israel has conducted an intensive military campaign in Gaza. According to figures from Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, which the United Nations considers reliable, the conflict has resulted in over 44,000 deaths, the majority of whom are civilians.
READ ALSO: Global Rejection of Climate Finance Draft Sparks Crisis at COP29
The war has left Gaza grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis. United Nations agencies have warned of a looming famine, citing critical shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies. The humanitarian toll has further fueled international criticism of the ongoing conflict and heightened calls for accountability.
Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions, asserting that the ICC had ignored “real war crimes being committed against us and others around the world.” He also mocked the court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas’s military wing, whom Israel claims to have killed in an airstrike in July 2024.
The ICC’s decision has drawn mixed reactions globally. While Hamas welcomed the warrants against Israeli leaders as a step toward justice, Israel and its allies dismissed the court’s jurisdiction. Israel, which is not a signatory to the ICC, has long rejected its authority, as has the United States, its principal diplomatic supporter.
The court’s reliance on its 124 member states to execute arrest warrants underscores the challenges of enforcement, particularly when high-profile figures like Netanyahu are involved. Whether the warrants lead to tangible action remains uncertain.
READ ALSO: Sacked UNIZIK VC Fires Back at Presidency: “You Can’t Remove Me Through a Press Statement”
As international attention continues to focus on the Gaza conflict, the ICC’s decision marks a significant moment in the global discourse on accountability and justice. Netanyahu’s defiance and the international community’s polarized responses highlight the complexities of addressing alleged war crimes in a deeply contested geopolitical landscape.
The outcome of this development will not only shape perceptions of the ICC’s role but also influence the broader dynamics of justice and diplomacy in the region.