The world reacts to the ICC arrest of Israel Netanyahu, Gallant | Israel-Palestine Conflicts News

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged “war crimes”.

The court said on Thursday that there were “reasonable grounds” to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant “deliberately deprived the residents of Gaza of the essentials for their survival”.

The ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas chief Mohammed Deif on charges of “crimes against humanity and war crimes”. Israel said in August that Deif was killed in an airstrike in southern Gaza.

The ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, first applied for these guarantees six months ago. In August, Khan asked the court to make a decision, saying, “Any unjustified delay in these proceedings harms the rights of the victims.”

Since the decision was announced, Israeli officials have slammed the warrants, with Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev calling them “modern anti-Semitism hiding from justice”.

Here are some of the key reactions to the ICC decision:

Israel

Netanyahu’s office rejected the decision and described the move as “anti-Semitic” in a statement.

“Israel rejects with disgust the senseless and false actions carried out by the ICC,” his office said, adding that Israel would not “yield to pressure” to protect its citizens.

In separate remarks, Netanyahu’s office said the decision was “like today’s Dreyfus case – and it will end the same way,” referring to Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish army captain who was wrongly convicted of treason in France.

Hamas

The group welcomed the decision to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, calling it “an important step for justice”.

“[It’s] it is an important step towards justice and can lead to reparations for the victims in general, but it remains limited and symbolic if it is not supported by all countries around the world,” said a member of the Hamas political office, Basem Naim, in a statement.

Hamas also asked the ICC to expand its scope to other Israeli officials.

The group did not mention Deif’s warrant.

United States

The White House said Washington “rejects” the ICC decision, adding that it is “deeply concerned about the prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling procedural errors that led to this decision”.

“The United States has made it clear that the ICC does not have the authority to handle this matter,” said a spokesperson for the National Security Council.

The Netherlands

Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said his country “respects the independence of the ICC”.

“We will not contact people who are not important and we will follow the orders of arrest. We fully comply with the Rome Statute of the ICC,” he added.

France

The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Christophe Lemoine, said that France will act “in accordance with the rules of the ICC”.

However, Lemoine refused to say whether France will arrest Netanyahu if he arrives in the country, saying that “it is legally complicated”.

Jordan

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi said that the decision of the ICC must be respected and implemented. “The Palestinian people deserve justice,” he said.

in Norway

Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide said, “It is important that the ICC does its work in a prudent manner.” I hope that the court will proceed with the case in view of the high standards of fair trial.”

Ireland

Prime Minister Simon Harris said the assurances were “a very important step”.

He added that Ireland respects the role of the ICC and anyone in a position to assist it in carrying out its important work should do so “with urgency.”

South Africa

In a statement, the government welcomed the ICC decision and said it marked “an important step towards justice for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Palestine”.

“South Africa reaffirms its commitment to international law and urges all state bodies to act in accordance with their obligations under the Rome Statute,” the statement said.

“We call on the global community to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability for human rights violations.”

Hungary

Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto condemned the ICC’s decision, calling it “shameful and senseless,” presidential spokesman Zoltan Kovacs reported to X.

“This decision insults international law by equating the leaders of a country that suffered a terrible terrorist attack with the leaders of a terrorist organization,” said Szijjarto, adding, “Such a decision is unacceptable.”

In Argentina

President Javier Milei told X that his country “declares its deep disagreement” with the decision.

He wrote that the warrant “ignores Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself against the constant attacks of terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah”.

European Union

The head of Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, said that ICC mandates are not political and should be respected and used.

“This decision is a binding decision and all states, all parties to the court, including all members of the European Union, are bound to implement this court decision,” he said.

Amnesty International

The human rights organization said in X that “the wheels of international justice have finally caught those accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Palestine and Israel”.

“There will be no ‘safe haven’ for those accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity,” it added.