Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly condemned the International Criminal Court (ICC) after it issued arrest warrants against him and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The ICC accuses the leaders of actions including murder, persecution, and using starvation as a weapon of war.

Netanyahu's Response

In a video statement on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Netanyahu labeled the ICC's decision a "modern Dreyfus trial" and dismissed it as "antisemitic." He declared that the charges were baseless, asserting, “This outrageous decision falsely accuses me, the democratically elected Prime Minister of Israel, of deliberately targeting civilians, when we do everything to avoid civilian casualties.”

Netanyahu emphasized that Israeli forces issue evacuation warnings to Gaza civilians to avoid harm, accusing Hamas of endangering civilians by using them as human shields and obstructing their evacuation.

ICC Allegations

The ICC charges allege that the Israeli administration restricted vital resources such as food, water, and medical aid to Gaza civilians, leading to severe humanitarian crises, including child deaths. The court also accuses Netanyahu and Gallant of deliberately depriving the population of essential supplies.

Netanyahu refuted the claims, stating that Israel has delivered 700,000 tons of food to Gaza, only to see it looted by Hamas. He highlighted Israel’s humanitarian efforts, such as vaccinating 97% of Gaza’s population against polio in recent weeks, questioning how such actions could lead to genocide accusations.

Criticism of ICC’s Focus

Netanyahu accused the ICC of ignoring "real war crimes" in countries like Iran, Syria, and Yemen, as well as atrocities committed by Hamas. He cited incidents of Hamas fighters allegedly burning babies, beheading men, and kidnapping civilians during their October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

Netanyahu further claimed that the ICC’s prosecutor was using the charges against him to distract from personal scandals and warned of severe consequences for those supporting the court’s actions.

Broader Context

The ICC’s actions follow reports of widespread civilian displacement and destruction in Gaza, where thousands of civilians have died since Israel launched retaliatory strikes after Hamas's surprise attack in October 2023. Key infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, has been devastated as Israel vows to eliminate Hamas.

Arrest Warrants for Hamas Leaders

The ICC has also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, accusing him of crimes against humanity and war crimes during the ongoing conflict.

Netanyahu's Closing Message

Netanyahu called the conflict a battle between civilization and barbarism, declaring, “Our enemies are your enemies. Our victory will be the victory of civilization over tyranny.”

Israel has rejected the ICC's actions, vowing to continue defending its citizens without yielding to international pressure. The case adds a new layer of tension to an already volatile conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responds to the International Criminal Court's verdict https://t.co/w2w7QoJww6 pic.twitter.com/3SPy4ZcsI5

— Sky News (@SkyNews) November 21, 2024