World leaders split as ICC issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu

PARIS – Israel and its allies have denounced the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to issue an arrest warrant on Nov 21 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while Turkey and rights groups welcomed the move.

China, which like Israel and the US is not a member of the ICC, urged the court to remain objective and fair.

The ICC also issued warrants for Israel’s former defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif.

The warrants were issued in response to accusations of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza, set off by the militant Palestinian group’s attack on Oct 7, 2023.

“The anti-Semitic decision of the International Criminal Court is comparable to the modern-day Dreyfus trial – and it will end in the same way,” Mr Netanyahu said in a statement.

He was referring to the 19th-century Alfred Dreyfus affair in which a Jewish army captain was wrongly convicted of treason in France before being exonerated.

US President Joe Biden said in a statement: “The ICC issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous.

“Let me be clear once again: Whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence – none – between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security.”

In response to a question about the court’s warrant, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said: “China hopes the ICC will uphold an objective and just position (and) exercise its powers in accordance with the law.”

Argentina declared its “deep disagreement” with the decision, which “ignores Israel’s legitimate right to self-defence against the constant attacks by terrorist organisations like Hamas and Hezbollah”, President Javier Milei posted on social media platform X.

Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim said: “(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.”

The European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, during a visit to Jordan, said: “It is not a political decision. It is a decision of a court, of a court of justice, of an international court of justice. And the decision of the court has to be respected and implemented.”

Ms Yael Vias Gvirsman, who represents 300 Israeli victims of the Hamas attacks on Oct 7, 2023, said: “This arrest warrant against Deif is massively significant.”

Speaking from outside the court in The Hague, she added: “It means these victims’ voices are being heard.”

The Palestinian Authority, a rival of Hamas, said “the ICC’s decision represents hope and confidence in international law and its institutions”. It urged ICC members to enforce “a policy of severing contact and meetings” with Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant.

Mr Netanyahu “is now officially a wanted man”, said Amnesty International secretary-general Agnes Callamard. “ICC member states and the whole international community must stop at nothing until these individuals are brought to trial before the ICC’s independent and impartial judges.”

Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said on X that the ICC’s decision “is a belated but positive decision to stop the bloodshed and put an end to the genocide in Palestine”.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said his country would be obliged to arrest Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant if they visit, although he believed the ICC was “wrong” to put Mr Netanyahu on the same level as Hamas.

Spain said it would follow the ruling, with official sources telling AFP that the country respects the decision and will conform to its commitments and obligations in compliance with the Rome Statute and international law.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said: “It is important that the ICC carries out its mandate in a judicious manner. I have confidence that the court will proceed with the case based on the highest fair trial standards.”

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said: “Sweden and the EU support the important work of the court and safeguard its independence and integrity.” AFP