US President Joe Biden has criticized the International Criminal Court (ICC) for issuing arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, calling the move “outrageous.” The ICC alleges these individuals bear responsibility for crimes committed during the recent Israel-Hamas war.
The ICC asserts there are “reasonable grounds” to believe Netanyahu, Gallant, and Deif share criminal responsibility for crimes including murder, persecution, and the use of starvation as a method of warfare. Netanyahu and Gallant are accused of directing attacks against civilians and engaging in inhumane acts. Deif is alleged to be responsible for crimes such as murder, torture, and sexual violence.
Netanyahu condemned the decision, calling it antisemitic and likening it to the Dreyfus affair, a historic instance of antisemitism in France. He highlighted Israel’s efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza despite ongoing conflict and rejected the ICC’s authority. Gallant, expressing similar sentiments, accused the ICC of equating Israel with Hamas and legitimizing heinous crimes such as the murder of children and abduction of the elderly.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, while critical of Netanyahu’s war strategies, also disagreed with the ICC’s charges, asserting that Israel has not committed genocide or war crimes warranting such accusations.
Hamas described the ICC’s actions as a “historic precedent” and welcomed the move against Netanyahu and Gallant. Palestinians in Gaza expressed hope that justice would be served against Israeli leaders, particularly in light of severe conditions in Gaza under Israeli military operations.
Reactions to the warrants have been mixed. European nations like Britain, France, and Italy have expressed support for the ICC’s independence. However, the US and Israel, neither of which recognize the ICC, oppose the court’s actions. Biden reiterated the US commitment to standing with Israel, rejecting any equivalence between Israel and Hamas.
The charges stem from events starting October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. In response, Israel initiated a military campaign against Gaza aimed at eliminating Hamas, resulting in over 44,000 deaths, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The ICC prosecutor’s allegations against Deif focus on systematic attacks against Israeli civilians, while Netanyahu and Gallant are accused of crimes against the population of Gaza, including using starvation as a method of warfare. The impact of the ICC warrants depends on whether its member states, which exclude Israel and the US, enforce the arrests.
As the conflict continues, international attention remains on the legal, humanitarian, and political ramifications of these unprecedented developments.
