Bibi, Gallant wanted
World hails ICC arrest warrants
Most countries in the world hailed a decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister and his former defense minister for “war crimes and crimes against humanity” during the regime’s 13-month onslaught on the Gaza Strip, which has killed over 44,000 people.
The court said on Thursday that there were “reasonable grounds” to believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant were criminally responsible for acts including murder, persecution, and starvation as a weapon of war as part of a “widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza”.
The ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif for alleged “crimes against humanity and war crimes”. Israel said in August that Deif was killed in an air strike in southern Gaza the previous month.
The decision was met with outrage in Tel Aviv, which called it shameful and absurd. Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev referred to the arrest warrants as “modern anti-Semitism in the guise of justice”.
Global reaction
However, most countries in the world, including the regime’s Western allies, welcomed the ICC decision.
EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the decision is a binding decision, and all state parties of the court, which include all members of the European Union, are bound to implement its decision.
“The fight against impunity wherever crimes are committed is a priority for Belgium, which fully supports the work of the [ICC]”, Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi called it a “major victory” for supporters of the Palestinian cause and people.
Hamas resistance group welcomed the decision, calling it an “important step towards justice”.
“[It’s] an important step towards justice and can lead to redress for the victims in general, but it remains limited and symbolic if it is not supported by all means by all countries around the world,” Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim said in a statement.
The Palestinian Authority, which governs the occupied West Bank, said, “The ICC’s decision represents hope and confidence in international law and its institutions.”
Austria’s Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg called the warrant incomprehensible and ludicrous, but his office also said as a party to the Rome statutes, Austria is obliged to implement ICC arrest warrants.
“It’s really important that everyone abide by international law,” Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, adding his country would abide by rulings of international courts.
France would act “in line with the ICC’s statutes”, said Christophe Lemoine, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, he declined to say whether France would arrest Netanyahu if he came to the country, saying it was “legally complex”.
A government spokesperson in Germany said Berlin will “carefully examine” the ICC’s arrest warrants, but will not take further steps until a visit to the country.
“The Federal Government was involved in the drafting of the ICC Statute and is one of the ICC’s biggest supporters. This position is also a result of German history,” the spokesperson said. “At the same time, a consequence of German history is that we have a unique relationship and a great responsibility to Israel.”
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Rome would consider how to interpret the decision and act together with its allies. “We support the ICC … the court must play a legal role and not a political role,” he added.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the ICC’s decision must be respected and implemented. “Palestinians deserve justice,” he said.
However, US President Joe Biden unsurprisingly said in a statement, “The ICC issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous”.
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto also condemned the ICC decision, calling it “shameful and absurd,” presidential spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs reported on X.
More than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israeli military action since the beginning of its devastating war on the Palestinian territory in October 2023.
Nearly two million Palestinians have been displaced by the Israel’s army and face a grave humanitarian crisis.