Israel Moves to Prevent ICC Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Others Amid Gaza Conflict
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Israel is taking proactive measures to prevent the potential arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Israel’s Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi. Israel has instructed its embassies worldwide to brace for severe anti-semitic backlashes in response to any ICC warrants.
Last week, Israel Channel 12, recently reported that Israel is growing concerned about the likelihood of the ICC issuing arrest warrants. According to the report, the Prime Minister’s Office convened an “emergency discussion” regarding this issue. A government spokesperson did not provide comments on the television report or its specifics.
Over the weekend, in an article for the Walla news site, analyst Ben Caspit noted that Netanyahu is experiencing “unusual stress” due to the potential issuance of an arrest warrant against him and other Israelis by the United Nations tribunal in The Hague.
Caspit reported that Netanyahu was engaged in a “nonstop push over the telephone” to avert an arrest warrant, with a particular focus on the administration of US President Joe Biden.
On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted multiple statements on social media.
“Under my leadership, Israel will never accept any attempt by the International Criminal Court in The Hague to undermine its basic right to defend itself,” Netanyahu declared on Telegram. He added, “While decisions made by the court in The Hague will not affect Israel’s actions, they will set a dangerous precedent that threatens soldiers and public figures.”
Currently, the ICC has yet to issue any formal announcements about forthcoming arrest warrants, however Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan confirmed in November 2023 that investigations were active regarding incidents in Gaza, the West Bank, and east Jerusalem. These investigations are tied to the conflict between Israel and Hamas that began on October 7.
Nevertheless, Foreign Minister Israel Katz (Likud) issued a statement regarding the possible actions to be taken by the ICC and stated that Israel complies with “all the laws of war”.
“We expect the [ICC] to refrain the issuance of arrest warrants against senior Israeli officials in the political and security echelons,” Katz said in a statement released by his office.
“There is nothing more twisted than trying to prevent Israel from defending itself against a murderous enemy that openly calls for the destruction of Israel,” the statement read. “If the orders are issued, they will harm the commanders and soldiers of the IDF and give a boost to the terrorist organization Hamas and the radical Islamic axis led by Iran against which we are fighting.”
He also stated that he has directed Israeli diplomatic missions around the world to implement additional security measures and brace for a significant rise in antisemitic attacks in the event that the ICC issues arrest warrants.
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