ICC Prosecutor's Arrest Warrant Push Decried by Israel as 'Travesty of Justice'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor's request for arrest warrants against him and other Israeli leaders as a "travesty of justice." Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called for "decent nations" to defund the ICC, accusing it of creating a false equivalency between Israel and Hamas.

1. The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Karim Khan, has filed applications for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders for alleged "war crimes."

2. Khan alleges that Netanyahu and Gallant "bear criminal responsibility for... war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of the State of Palestine."

3. The prosecutor claims that these alleged crimes include "starvation of civilians as a method of warfare" and "intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population."

4. Khan is also seeking arrest warrants for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, its top political leader Ismail Haniyeh, and its military commander Mohammed Deif.

5. Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have vehemently condemned the move, labeling it as disgraceful and antisemitic.

6. U.S. President Joe Biden has also criticized the prosecutor's actions, supporting Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas.

7. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has called on "decent nations" to defund the ICC, alleging that it has created a false equivalency between the executor of deliberate murderous attacks and those defending themselves.

8. Bennett argues that the ICC's request is "a moment of shame for the ICC and the world community" and provides a boost to global terrorism.

9. Israel is not a member of the court, so even if the arrest warrants are issued, Netanyahu and Gallant do not face immediate risk of prosecution.

10. However, the threat of arrest could make it challenging for the Israeli leaders to travel abroad.

11. A panel of three judges will determine whether to issue the arrest warrants and allow a case to proceed.

12. The judges typically take around two months to make such decisions.

13. The ICC's move has sparked a heated debate about international law, the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and the role of the court in addressing alleged war crimes.