By L. Ryan, Jadetimes News
Netanyahu and Biden Reject ICC Comparisons, Emphasize Israel's Defense Efforts
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fiercely condemned the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor for seeking arrest warrants for him and Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes during the Gaza conflict. Netanyahu expressed his outrage, stating that he rejects with disgust the comparison of "democratic Israel" to "mass murderers." His sentiments were echoed by US President Joe Biden, who emphasized that there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas.
The ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, stated that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and his Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, bear criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The ICC is also pursuing a warrant for Hamas's leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, for war crimes. Neither Israel nor the US, its key ally, are members of the ICC, which was established in 2002. The allegations against Israeli and Hamas leaders stem from events on October 7, when waves of Hamas gunmen attacked Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 252 hostages back to Gaza. This attack initiated the current conflict, which has resulted in at least 35,500 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's Hamas run health ministry.
On Monday, President Biden reiterated that there is "no equivalence none between Israel and Hamas," and asserted that "Israel wants to do all it can to ensure civilian protection."
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also condemned the ICC's actions, stating that Washington "fundamentally rejects" the move. Blinken called it "shameful" and asserted that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the matter. He also suggested that the request for arrest warrants could jeopardize ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire deal. Prosecutor Karim Khan has also applied for arrest warrants for Defense Minister Gallant, Hamas's political leader Ismail Haniyeh, and the group's military chief Mohammed Deif. Khan accused Israel's leaders of crimes including the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, murder, intentionally directing attacks against civilian populations, and extermination.
The alleged crimes for Hamas leaders began on October 7, 2023, with their attack on Israel, and for the Israeli leaders from October 8, 2023. The ICC defended its position on Monday, stating that despite "significant efforts," it had not received any information showing genuine action at the domestic level in Israel to address the alleged crimes or individuals under investigation. A panel of ICC judges will now consider whether to issue the warrants. If they do, countries that are signatories to the ICC statute are obligated to arrest the accused individuals if they have the opportunity.
