World leaders divided as ICC issues arrest warrants for Israeli officials
VOV Correspondents in Egypt and the US -
(VOVWORLD) - The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense chief, Yoav Gallant, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict.
 Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech in Jerusalem on May 5, 2024. (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
In their decision, the ICC judges said there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant were criminally responsible for acts including murder, persecution, and starvation as a weapon of war as part of a "widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza".
These crimes were committed “from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024,” the day the prosecution filed the applications for warrants of arrest, the Court said.
The ICC's decision triggered a wave of division in the international community.
Jordan's foreign minister Ayman Safadi said the ICC's decision must be implemented. Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc viewed the ICC's decision as a positive step toward putting an end to the genocide in Palestine. The ICC's ruling also gained the support of many countries in Europe and other regions. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto announced that he would arrest Netanyahu under the ICC's orders if the Israeli PM traveled to Italy.
In contrast, the decision was denounced by the US and Israel. A US National Security Council spokesperson said the ICC was hasty in its investigation, and said the court has no legal authority to intervene in these matters. Israeli President Isaac Herzog blasted the ICC's decision as "absurd."
VOV Correspondents in Egypt and the US