World leaders split as ICC issues arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu

Israel and its close allies were furious, human rights groups rejoiced, and many countries responded cautiously after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The court also issued warrants for Israel's former defence minister as well as Hamas's military chief Mohammed Deif. 

The warrants were issued in response to accusations of crimes against humanity and war crimes in the bloody conflict set off by the militant Palestinian group's October 7, 2023 attacks and Israel's retaliation. 

Israel: New 'Dreyfus trial'

"The anti-Semitic decision of the International Criminal Court is comparable to the modern-day Dreyfus trial – and it will end in the same way," Netanyahu said in a statement, referring to the 19th-century Alfred Dreyfus affair in which a Jewish army captain was wrongly convicted of treason in France before being exonerated.

US: 'Fundamentally rejects' decision

The United States "fundamentally rejects" the ICC's decision and "we remain deeply concerned by the prosecutor's rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision. The United States has been clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter," a National Security Council spokesperson said.

Hamas: 'Justice'

It's "an important step towards justice and can lead to redress for the victims in general, but it remains limited and symbolic if it is not supported by all means by all countries around the world," Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim said.

European Union: 'Binding'

EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell said the warrants were "binding" and should be implemented. "It is not a political decision. It is a decision of a court, of a court of justice, of an international court of justice. And the decision of the court has to be respected and implemented," he said during a visit to Jordan.

Human Rights Watch: 'Secure justice'

"The ICC arrest warrants against senior Israeli leaders and a Hamas official break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law. These warrants should finally push the international community to address atrocities and secure justice for all victims in Palestine and Israel."   

Israeli victims: 'Significant'

Yael Vias Gvirsman, who represents 300 Israeli victims of the October 7 Hamas attacks, told journalists outside the court that "this arrest warrant against Mr Deif is massively significant. It means these victims' voices are being heard."

She said her clients had "mixed" reactions to the arrest warrants against the Israeli leaders. "In terms of Israel facing these arrest warrants, the best thing is to face reality. An international court of law has issued a binding decision. I think the best thing to do now is to closely cooperate with the prosecutor."

Amnesty International: 'Wanted man'

"Prime Minister Netanyahu is now officially a wanted man," said Amnesty's Secretary General Agnes Callamard. "ICC member states and the whole international community must stop at nothing until these individuals are brought to trial before the ICC's independent and impartial judges."  

Italy: 'Will evaluate'

"We support the ICC, while always remembering that the court must play a legal role and not a political role. We will evaluate together with our allies what to do and how to interpret this decision," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said.

Argentina: 'Profound disagreement'

Argentina "declares its profound disagreement" with the decision, which "ignores Israel's legitimate right to self-defence against the constant attacks by terrorist organisations like Hamas and Hezbollah," President Javier Milei posted on X. 

Turkey: 'Positive decision'

The ICC's decision "is a belated but positive decision to stop the bloodshed and put an end to the genocide in Palestine," Turkish Justice minister Yilmaz Tunc said on X. "The barbaric Israeli authorities, who target our innocent Palestinian brothers and sisters... must be brought to justice as soon as possible for their war crimes and crimes against humanity."

Norway: 'Confidence'

"It is important that the ICC carries out its mandate in a judicious manner. I have confidence that the court will proceed with the case based on the highest fair trial standards," Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said.

Sweden: 'Independence and integrity'

"Sweden and the EU support the important work of the court and safeguard its independence and integrity," Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said.

– TIMES/AFP