The United States on Friday rejected the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged “crimes against humanity and war crimes.”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre criticized the ICC’s decision during a press briefing, expressing concerns about procedural flaws and the prosecutor’s haste. She stated, “We fundamentally reject the court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials.” Jean-Pierre reiterated the US stance that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over the matter, emphasizing that there is no evidence to support the prosecutor’s claims and reaffirming the US commitment to supporting Israel.
The ICC, based in The Hague, issued the warrants on Thursday, accusing Netanyahu and Gallant of targeting civilians and enforcing policies of starvation in Gaza. Netanyahu condemned the decision, calling it “antisemitic” and likening it to the infamous Dreyfus trial. In a video statement, he described the ICC’s actions as baseless and highlighted Israel’s efforts to minimize civilian casualties during military operations in Gaza.
Netanyahu outlined measures such as warning civilians through messages and leaflets, contrasting this with Hamas’s alleged use of human shields. He also rejected accusations of a starvation policy, citing the supply of 700,000 tons of food and other humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The Israeli Prime Minister further criticized the ICC for ignoring war crimes in other conflict zones, including Iran, Syria, and Yemen, and for failing to hold Hamas accountable for its actions. Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense, stating, “No biased anti-Israel decision in The Hague will prevent the State of Israel from defending its citizens.”
He thanked the US and other allies for condemning the ICC’s move and reiterated that Israel does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction. Netanyahu framed Israel’s struggle as a broader battle for civilization, stating, “Our enemies are your enemies, and our victory will be your victory—the victory of civilization over barbarism and tyranny.”
