The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday rejected a complaint from Israel and issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The ICC charged Netanyahu and Gallant with “crimes against humanity and war crimes,” including using starvation as a weapon of war and targeting civilians. Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the move in a statement Thursday.
“The outrageous decisions at the ICC, taken in bad faith, have turned universal justice into a universal laughing stock. It makes a mockery of the sacrifices of all those fighting,” Herzog wrote.
Herzog argued that the ICC's decision ignores Hamas' use of human shields and the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack that sparked the war, as well as the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza.
'Cheers for terrorism': Twitch star dismisses new 9/11 calls, October 7th horrors
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are currently facing arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court. (Reuters/Pool)
“In fact, this decision has chosen the side of terror and evil over democracy and freedom, turning the justice system itself into a human shield against Hamas' crimes against humanity,” he added. “This cynical exploitation of the international legal system calls for true moral clarity in the face of Iran's evil empire, which seeks to destabilize our region and the world and destroy the very institutions of the free world.” It reminds me of sexuality.”
Biden reverses President Trump and lifts sanctions on International Criminal Court
Israel made several efforts to prevent the ICC from approving the arrest warrant. They initially argued that the ICC had no jurisdiction over Israel, but said the court could issue arrest warrants as part of its “territorial jurisdiction over Palestine.”
Israel also filed other procedural challenges, which were rejected.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has condemned the ICC for issuing arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. (AP/Ben Curtis)
The ICC's move comes just days after incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune threatened to impose sanctions on the court if it proceeded with issuing an arrest warrant.
Thune was chosen last week to be the next Senate majority leader after Republicans take control of the Senate in January 2025. He warned that he would be tried in court.
Israeli authorities praise Stefanik as unelected candidate, say her 'moral clarity' will combat 'hatred and lies' in her body
“If the ICC and its prosecutors do not reverse their outrageous and illegal actions in seeking arrest warrants against Israeli officials, the Senate should immediately pass sanctions legislation, as the House has already done on a bipartisan basis.” ,” Thun wrote to X. With Majority Leader Schumer taking no action, the Senate Republican majority will stand by Israel, a key ally, and make this and other aid legislation a top priority in the next Congress. ”
(Senator John Thune (R) urged Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to take action against the ICC.)
Although the United States does not officially recognize the ICC's authority, this is not the first time the U.S. government has attempted to halt the court's actions.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In 2020, the Trump administration opposed the ICC's efforts to investigate the involvement of U.S. soldiers and the CIA in the incident. Suspected war crime He was detained in a “secret detention facility in Afghanistan” from 2003 to 2004 and imposed sanctions on the ICC prosecutor.
President Biden's administration lifted these sanctions shortly after taking office.
