PM Netanyahu blasts ICC arrest warrants as 'pure antisemitism and a moral disgrace of the highest order'

ICC prosecutor urges court to issue ‘urgent’ arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant and Sinwar

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International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan on Tuesday requested that the court issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar “with utmost urgency.”

Khan made the initial request for the warrants in May and expressed frustration with the court’s delay. In his filing to the court’s chamber of judges, he said such warrants were necessary due to “ongoing criminality” and against the backdrop of a “worsening situation in Palestine.”

Israel’s Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in response: “The comparison made by the prosecutor in The Hague between the Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Israel, which is fighting murderous Hamas terrorism in accordance with the laws of war, and the war criminal Sinwar, who executed Israeli hostages in cold blood, is pure antisemitism and a moral disgrace of the highest order.”

“Unfortunately, we have seen from the beginning that the proceedings in The Hague are politically biased and have no professional legal basis whatsoever,” read the PMO statement.

Khan’s original request included two additional arrest warrants against former Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and the group’s former military leader Mohammed Deif. The prosecutor dropped the case against Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran on July 31. He is working to confirm the death of Deif, who according to the IDF, was killed in a strike in southern Gaza on July 13.

Khan's latest effort to expedite the proceedings against Israeli leaders coincides with reports that Israel is appealing to international allies to intervene on its behalf.

In July, some 70 countries, organizations and individuals submitted amicus briefs to the ICC arguing for or against the warrants.

U.S. President Joe Biden called the prosecutor’s May application “outrageous.” The United Kingdom filed a brief challenging the court’s jurisdiction over Israel in June.

Khan called on the court to dismiss legal challenges questioning its jurisdiction in the case, claiming the court had established legal authority to rule on the matter.

If issued, Khan's warrants would significantly hamper the ability of Netanyahu and Gallant to travel abroad. Countries that recognize the ICC’s authority would be bound to arrest the two Israeli leaders upon arrival in their territory.