Netanyahu arrest warrant damned by Israel, welcomed by Palestinians

The announcement of arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israel’s present Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has triggered a livid response from main Israelis throughout the political spectrum.

By distinction it has been welcomed by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and unusual residents in Gaza.

Leading Israeli figures throughout the political spectrum have reacted angrily to the announcement.

President Isaac Herzog referred to as it “a dark day for justice and humanity”, saying the choice had “chosen the side of terror and evil over democracy and freedom”.

The prime minister’s workplace referred to as it “an antisemitic decision” and stated that Israel “utterly rejects the false and absurd charges”, labelling the ICC “a biased and discriminatory political body”.

The chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, Yuli Edelstein, referred to as it “a shameful decision by a political body held captive by Islamist interests”. Israel’s international minister stated the ICC had misplaced its legitimacy.

Hamas has welcomed the choice, with out commenting on the issuing of a warrant for its personal navy commander, Mohammed Deif.

In an announcement it stated: “We call on all countries around the world to cooperate with the court in bringing the Zionist war criminals, Netanyahu and Gallant and to work immediately to stop the crimes of genocide against defenceless civilians in the Gaza Strip”.

Ordinary Palestinians in Gaza have additionally welcomed the announcement. Muhammad Ali, a 40-year previous man displaced from Gaza City and at present within the central space of Deir al-Balah, stated:

“We have been terrorised, starved, had our homes destroyed, and lost our children, sons, and loved ones. We welcome this decision, and of course, we hope that the decisions of the ICC will be implemented”.

Munira Al-Shami, whose sister was killed by Israeli forces final month, referred to as the ICC resolution “justice for tens of thousands of victims, including my sister Wafa”.

Meanwhile, some Israeli residents stated the arrests went towards Israel’s proper to defend itself.

“Somehow I’m not surprised,” Ron Ackerman stated, including he thinks the ICC “is purely antisemitic and it doesn’t see what’s going on around Israel, only they look at Israel”.

Helen Kariv from Jerusalem stated: “When I first heard it I said, ‘my God, where did they get the idea of arresting the prime minister of the state of Israel and his chief of staff’?… We are fighting for survival.”

A complete of 124 international locations are signatories to the ICC, together with the UK, however not the US, Russia, China, nor Israel itself.

So which means technically, if both Netanyahu or Gallant units foot in any of the signatory international locations they have to be arrested and handed over to the courtroom.

But worldwide legal professionals have expressed doubts over whether or not both man will ever be dropped at The Hague for trial.

The final time Netanyahu travelled exterior Israel was in July to the US, a rustic he may nonetheless theoretically go to with impunity.

Last 12 months he visited a number of international locations, together with the UK in March, a lot of that are signatories.

It is assumed unlikely he would wish to danger arrest by doing this once more and the international locations in query would even be reluctant to seek out themselves put in that place.

Hamas has little to worry from the ICC warrant for Ibrahim Al-Masri, aka Mohammed Deif. Israel believes he was killed earlier this year, though this was by no means confirmed by Hamas.

The different two Hamas figures whom the ICC initially deliberate to prosecute – Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh – are each confirmed as useless.

There isn’t any query that Thursday’s announcement is a serious blow to Israel’s worldwide standing, to the 2 people named and most particularly to Israel’s ongoing efforts to current its navy marketing campaign in Gaza as a struggle between the forces of excellent and evil.

Israelis are appalled that, of their eyes, the world appears to have already forgotten or ignored the atrocities dedicated by Hamas on 7 October final 12 months.

Palestinians, particularly Gazans, really feel vindicated that their accusations of Israeli struggle crimes have now been echoed by a world physique with some weight.