International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Galant for crimes (against humanity and war crimes) committed between October 8, 2023 and May 20, 2024 (the day the prosecution filed motions to issue the warrants). The Israeli Prime Minister's office called the decision "anti-Semitic," writes Air force.
Photo: Digikhmer | Dreamstime.com
The Prime Minister's Office called the ICC's decision "anti-Semitic" and said Israel "will not bow to pressure" to protect its citizens.
The ICC also issued an arrest warrant for senior Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, although the Israeli military said he was killed in a July airstrike in Gaza.
"On 21 November 2024, the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court unanimously issued two decisions. They rejected Israel's complaints under Articles 18 and 19 of the Rome Statute," the statement said.
On the subject: The International Court of Justice calls on Israel to prevent genocide in the Gaza Strip
In the first complaint, Israel challenged the Court's jurisdiction over the situation in the Palestinian territories in general and Israeli citizens in particular. In the second, it insisted that the Court issue a new notice of investigation to the Israeli authorities (under Article 18 of the Statute). Israel asked the Court to discontinue any proceedings in the relevant cases, including consideration of applications for arrest warrants.
The ICC found that both defendants "intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population of Gaza of the necessities of survival, including food, water, medicine, medical supplies, fuel and electricity.
“This conclusion is based on the role of Netanyahu and Galant in obstructing humanitarian aid, which is a violation of international humanitarian law, as well as the inability of these individuals to facilitate the provision of aid by all means at their disposal,” the department explained in a statement.
The court noted, among other things, that the flow of aid to Gaza was subject to a number of conditions that were not necessary.
“No specific military necessity or other justification under international humanitarian law has been found for restrictions on access to humanitarian assistance operations,” the document notes.
In addition, by deliberately restricting or obstructing the delivery of medical supplies and medicines, in particular anaesthetics and anaesthetic machines, to Gaza, the defendants are responsible for causing great suffering to people in need of treatment.
Netanyahu called the ICC prosecutor's statement on the arrest warrants "absurd and false" and "a distortion of reality." Israel says no democratic country has been treated in such a "biased manner" by the ICC and that Israel remains committed to the rule of law.
Since Israel began its military campaign in Gaza, Galant has been a key figure in it. But on November 5, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Galant, a moderate in the current cabinet dominated by the far right, citing a “crisis of confidence,” according to the prime minister’s office.
You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York
Netanyahu had already dismissed Galant from his post in March last year, six months before the Gaza war began, due to political differences. However, his departure caused such a public outcry in Israel that the prime minister had to rescind the decision.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Galant an "absurd decision": "The ICC's outrageous, unfair decision has turned universal justice into a laughing stock," Herzog concluded.
Read also on ForumDaily:
Armenia has ratified the Rome Statute: it is now obliged to arrest Putin if he comes to the country
Russia will put in jail those who approve of the actions of international organizations
Subscribe to ForumDaily on Google NewsDo you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.
Editor's Choice
