Israeli Defence Minister Rejects ICC Prosecutor’s Request
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has firmly rejected the International Criminal Court's (ICC) prosecutor's request for arrest warrants targeting him and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The rejection comes in response to prosecutor Karim Khan's accusations of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza war, involving both Israeli leaders and Hamas.
Israel's defence minister rejects ICC prosecutor’s request for warrants https://t.co/OdJaF4c5Ix pic.twitter.com/3XNElTHI1i
— World News (@Worldnews_Media) May 21, 2024
Source: Twitter/World News
Gallant’s Critique of the ICC Prosecutor
Gallant criticized prosecutor Karim Khan for what he termed a "despicable" comparison between Israel and Hamas.
He asserted that such a comparison undermines Israel's right to self-defense and emphasized that Israeli forces operated in Gaza in accordance with international law, while facilitating humanitarian aid.
Netanyahu’s Condemnation
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the warrant applications as a "moral outrage of historic proportions."
He echoed Gallant's stance, emphasizing the difference between the actions of a democratic government and those of a terrorist organization like Hamas.
Hamas’s Response and Demands
Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by multiple countries, demanded the cancellation of all arrest warrants against Palestinian resistance leaders.
The group criticized the ICC prosecutor for attempting to equate victims with executioners and expressed dissatisfaction with the timing and scope of the warrants.
International Reactions
Reactions to the ICC prosecutor's move varied internationally. The US condemned the action as "outrageous," emphasizing the distinction between a democratic state's actions and those of a terrorist group.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called it a "deeply unhelpful development," while other European nations took differing stances, with France supporting the ICC's independence and Belgium emphasizing the importance of prosecuting crimes in Gaza.
Call for Support from Israel
The Israeli government called on nations that oppose terrorism to stand by Israel and oppose the prosecutor's decision.
They stressed the significance of survival in the face of threats and urged support for their stance against the warrants.
European Union’s Position
While the European Union expressed support for the ICC's role in justice, it cautioned against implications of equivalence and emphasized the importance of the court's independence and the conduct of proceedings.
These developments indicate a complex international response to the ICC's actions and highlight ongoing tensions regarding accountability for actions during the Gaza war.
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