The decision by the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and three Hamas leaders has sparked a global debate among world leaders.
ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan accused Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of using starvation as a method of warfare and targeting civilians, while Hamas leaders Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh are also accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
US President Joe Biden, along with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, rejected the decision, with Biden stating, “there is no equivalence – none – between Israel and Hamas.” Netanyahu also expressed his disgust at the comparison, calling it audacious to equate his government with Hamas.
Israeli officials, including President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Israel Katz, condemned the comparison, emphasizing that Israel is a democratically elected government working to defend and protect its citizens within the principles of international law.
Hamas also denounced the ICC prosecutor’s actions, stating that the request to arrest its leaders equates the victim with the executioner.
While some leaders, like Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, respected the ICC’s independence, others, like UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, expressed concerns about the impact on efforts to reach a ceasefire and provide humanitarian aid.
Ireland’s minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, defended the ICC and condemned threats against the court, while South Africa welcomed the news and supported the chief prosecutor, emphasizing the importance of upholding the international rule of law and ensuring accountability for heinous crimes.