US President Joe Biden has rejected a request from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Although Netanyahu and Gallant do not face immediate arrest, the ICC’s chief prosecutor’s announcement was a symbolic blow, further isolating Israel over the Gaza conflict.
Karim Khan accused Netanyahu, Gallant, and three Hamas leaders — Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh — of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders condemned the move as disgraceful and antisemitic. President Biden criticized the prosecutor and reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas.
“The ICC prosecutor’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous,” Biden said in the statement.
“And let me be clear: whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence – none – between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security.”
Israel is not a member of the court, so even if arrest warrants are issued, Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant do not face any immediate risk of prosecution. However, the threat of arrest could complicate their ability to travel abroad.
Mr. Netanyahu called the prosecutor’s accusations against him a “disgrace” and an attack on the Israeli military and all of Israel. He vowed to continue Israel’s war against Hamas.
Hamas also condemned the ICC prosecutor’s actions, stating that the request to arrest its leaders “equates the victim with the executioner.”
Mr. Netanyahu is under heavy domestic pressure to end the war. Thousands of Israelis have joined weekly demonstrations urging the government to negotiate a deal to bring home Israeli hostages held by Hamas, fearing time is running out.
READ ALSO: We Will Increase Military Pressure on Hamas – Netanyahu Threatens
Recently, the two other members of his war Cabinet, Mr. Gallant and Benny Gantz, have threatened to resign if Mr. Netanyahu does not clarify a post-war strategy for Gaza.
On Monday, Mr. Netanyahu received widespread support as politicians across the spectrum condemned the ICC prosecutor’s move, including Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, and his main political rivals, Mr. Gantz and opposition leader Yair Lapid.
It remains unclear how Mr. Khan’s move will affect Mr. Netanyahu’s public standing. The potential for an arrest warrant could bolster his support as Israelis rally behind their leaders, but opponents might also blame him for causing a diplomatic crisis.
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
