Israel’s Foreign Minister called on the US to punish the ICC after the agency issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former defense minister Gallant.
“I believe that legal actions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) and anyone who cooperates with them will soon be taken in Washington,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said at a joint press conference with the people. Czech counterpart Jan Lipavsky in Prague today.
Mr. Saar mentioned that the ICC last week issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas armed wing leader Mohammed Deif on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes during the conflict. Gaza Strip conflict.
The 124 ICC member states are obliged to arrest if these three people come to their territory. Israel is not a member of the ICC.
Foreign Minister Saar stated that the ICC had “no legitimate reason” for issuing an arrest warrant against the Israeli leader, adding that some countries, including the US, were also disappointed by the decision of the International Criminal Court.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar spoke in Prague, Czech Republic, November 28. Image: AFP
On November 27, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said it would appeal the ICC’s arrest order and requested a suspension of this order pending the results. The agency also revealed that US senator Lindsey Graham informed Prime Minister Netanyahu about “a series of measures being pushed in the US Congress aimed at the ICC and countries that will cooperate with the court”.
Western countries have shown mixed reactions to the arrest warrant.
The US criticized the ICC’s move as an “insult” and affirmed to “continue to stand side by side” with Israel. Argentina said that the court had “ignored Israel’s legitimate right to self-defense against continuous attacks from Hamas and Hezbollah”, and Hungary announced that it would invite Prime Minister Netanyahu to visit even though the country is an ICC member.
Meanwhile, Britain and Ireland announced they would respect the ICC’s decision. France said it would apply immunity provisions at the ICC to Prime Minister Netanyahu. European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the arrest warrant was “binding” and needed to be carried out because “that is the only way there is global justice”.