Netanyahu, Gallant react to decision of ICC on arrest warrants

TEL AVIV – Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant have reacted as the International Criminal Court, ICC seeks to issue arrest warrants on both of them for war crimes.

The ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan told the ICC that Netanyahu and Gallant violated the Roman Statute and committed the following war crimes hence the need for arrest warrants.

“Starvation of civilians as a method of warfare as a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(b)(xxv) of the Statute;

“Wilfully causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health contrary to article 8(2)(a)(iii), or cruel treatment as a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i);

“Wilful killing contrary to article 8(2)(a)(i), or Murder as a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i);

“Intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population as a war crime contrary to articles 8(2)(b)(i), or 8(2)(e)(i);

“Extermination and/or murder contrary to articles 7(1)(b) and 7(1)(a), including in the context of deaths caused by starvation, as a crime against humanity;

“Persecution as a crime against humanity contrary to article 7(1)(h) and other inhumane acts as crimes against humanity contrary to article 7(1)(k), the ICC Prosecutor said.

Reacting to the development, Netanyahu described the request of the ICC as a moral outrage of historic proportions and a shame on the court.

“The outrageous decision by the ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, to seek arrest warrants against the democratically elected leaders of Israel is a moral outrage of historic proportions. It will cast an everlasting mark of shame on the international court”, he said.

For Yoav Gallant, Israel is fighting a brutal terrorist organisation, Hamas.
“Israel is fighting a just war against a brutal terrorist organization-Hamas. Even in facing a cynical enemy, Israel abides by IHL and maintains professional and moral standards.

“We are fighting for the hostages. We are fighting for our lives. We are fighting for our future”, he said.