Israel's Netanyahu Lashes Out at ICC Prosecutor for 'Demonizing' Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fiercely denounced the International Criminal Court (ICC) for requesting arrest warrants against him and other top Israeli officials, accusing the court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, of "demonizing" Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vehemently criticized the International Criminal Court (ICC) for seeking arrest warrants against him and other high-ranking Israeli officials, accusing the court of targeting Israel and attempting to portray it in a negative light.

In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Netanyahu denounced Khan as a "rogue prosecutor" who is "out to demonize the one and only Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East." He described the decision as "outrageous" and "false."

The ICC is investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by both Israeli and Hamas officials during the 2023 war in Gaza. Khan accuses Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of seven specific crimes, including "starvation of civilians as a method of warfare," "intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population," and "willful killing."

Netanyahu strongly rejected these accusations, calling them "a pack of lies" and "false." He pointed out that Israel provided Gaza with 20,000 trucks of food and medicine and that the price of food in Gaza has decreased.

The ICC also accuses Israel of imposing a "total siege" on Gaza, cutting off essential supplies and water. However, Netanyahu argued that Israel does not starve civilians and that the siege is necessary for security reasons.

Netanyahu further criticized the ICC for requesting arrest warrants against Israeli and Hamas officials at the same time, arguing that it is an attempt to create a "false symmetry" between the democratically elected leaders of Israel and the terrorist leaders of Hamas.

He compared the ICC's decision to requesting arrest warrants for Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Adolf Hitler during World War II or for George W. Bush and Osama bin Laden during the war on terror.

Netanyahu also questioned the ICC's legitimacy, pointing out that the United States and Israel are not signatories to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court. He argued that the ICC is overstepping its authority and targeting Israel disproportionately.

President Biden has rejected the ICC's application for arrest warrants against Israeli officials, stating that there is "no equivalence" between Israel and Hamas. He emphasized Israel's efforts to protect civilians and criticized the ICC's allegations of genocide.

Netanyahu welcomed Biden's support but expressed concern that the ICC might continue to pursue the case. He called on the international community to stand with Israel and reject the ICC's "demonization" of the Jewish state.

The ICC's decision is a major development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. It remains to be seen whether the court will grant the arrest warrants and what the consequences might be for Israel and its leaders.