ICC Faces Backlash Over Arrest Warrants For Netanyahu and Gallant

The International Criminal Court (ICC) sparked widespread outrage on Thursday by issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and leaders of Hamas. The court accused the Israelis of “crimes against humanity and war crimes” in their prosecution of the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.

Hamas officials were also targeted for their role in the brutal October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel that left more than 1,400 people dead. Many Hamas leaders have reportedly fled to Turkey following intensified global pressure and President-elect Donald Trump’s victory.

The ICC alleges that Netanyahu and Gallant are responsible for “starvation as a method of warfare,” citing restrictions on food, water, electricity, and medical supplies in Gaza. Israeli officials dismissed the accusations as baseless and rooted in anti-Semitism.

Netanyahu’s office released a defiant statement, calling the charges “absurd and false.”

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not surrender to the pressures. He will not recoil or withdraw until all of the war’s goals that were set at the start of the battle are achieved,” the statement read.

Defense Minister Israel Katz, Gallant’s successor, denounced the warrants as a “shameful” display of anti-Israel bias, labeling the decision a “moral disgrace.”

American officials from both sides of the aisle joined the chorus of condemnation. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania dismissed the ICC as irrelevant, writing on X: “F*** that,” alongside an emoji of the Israeli flag.

GOP Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida, Trump’s incoming National Security Adviser, called the allegations against Israel “refuted by the U.S. government.” Waltz promised that the ICC’s “antisemitic bias” would face a strong response under the new administration.

Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas took direct aim at ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, describing the court as a “kangaroo court” and issuing a stark warning.

“The ICC is a kangaroo court and Karim Khan is a deranged fanatic. Woe to him and anyone who tries to enforce these outlaw warrants. Let me give them all a friendly reminder: the American law on the ICC is known as The Hague Invasion Act for a reason. Think about it,” Cotton wrote.

The ICC has long faced accusations of anti-Israel bias. Its latest move further cements the perception among critics that the court targets democratic nations while failing to adequately address atrocities committed by terror groups like Hamas.

As January approaches, Trump’s administration is expected to address the ICC’s actions directly, promising a stronger defense of America’s allies and greater accountability for biased international institutions.

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