Israel and the U.S. on Monday both condemned a request by the International Criminal Court’s, ICC, Chief Prosecutor for the arrest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials in connection with the seven-month war in Gaza.
Karim Khan accused Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and defence minister, Yoav Gallant, of extermination, causing starvation as a method of war, the denial of humanitarian relief supplies and deliberately targeting civilians. He also leveled allegations against Hamas’s leaders, including the group’s head, Yahya Sinwar, of extermination, murder, hostage-taking, rape, sexual assault and torture.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan’s announcement a “disgrace” and an attack on the Israeli military and all of Israel. He also underscored his intention to press ahead with Israel’s military campaign against Hamas.
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President Joe Biden also issued a strongly worded statement denouncing Chief Prosecutor Khan’s announcement, saying there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas issued a separate statement denouncing the request to arrest its leaders, accusing the Chief Prosecutor of trying to, in their own words, equate the victim with the executioner. Hamas said it has the right to resist Israeli occupation, including armed resistance.
