The United States “categorically rejects” the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the White House declared this Thursday.
“We are extremely concerned by the Prosecutor’s decision to issue arrest warrants and by the disturbing procedural errors that led to this decision. The United States has been clear that the ICC has no jurisdiction in this matter,” said a spokesperson for the National Security Council quoted by the AFP news agency.
The ICC issued arrest warrants this Thursday against Nentayahu and Yoav Gallant, identifying them as the most responsible for the commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip since at least October 8 of last year.
The judges also approved the arrest warrant for Mohammed Deif, a senior Hamas official considered head of its military wing, although Israel already declared him dead in an Israeli attack launched last June against the Strip, a death that was never confirmed by the terrorist group.
The decision makes Netanyahu and the others internationally wanted suspects and is likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a ceasefire to end the 13-month conflict. But its practical implications could be limited, since Israel and its main ally, the United States, are not members of the court and several of the Hamas officials have subsequently died in the conflict.
Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have condemned ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan’s request for arrest warrants as shameful and anti-Semitic. US President Joe Biden also criticized the prosecutor and expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas. Meanwhile, Hamas also criticized the request.
“The Chamber found that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population of Gaza of objects indispensable for their survival, including food, water, medicines and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity,” the panel wrote. of three judges in their unanimous decision to issue arrest warrants against Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in September it had filed two legal briefs challenging the ICC’s jurisdiction and arguing that the court did not give Israel the opportunity to investigate the allegations itself before seeking arrest warrants.
“No other democracy with an independent and respected legal system like the one that exists in Israel has been treated in this detrimental manner by the Prosecutor,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein wrote in X. He said Israel remains “ firm in its commitment to the rule of law and justice” and will continue to protect its citizens against militancy.
The ICC is a court of last resort that only prosecutes cases when national law enforcement authorities are unable or unwilling to investigate. Israel is not a member state of the court.
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Here are two PAA-related questions drawing from the provided interview outline:
## World Today News: Interview on the ICC Arrest Warrant
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today we’re diving into the complex topic of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) recent arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. To help us understand the implications of this decision, we have two distinguished guests: Professor Sarah Cohen, an expert in international law at Columbia University, and Mr. David Elbaz, a former Israeli diplomat specializing in Middle East relations. Welcome, both.
**(Section 1: The ICC’s Jurisdiction and Legality)**
* Professor Cohen, the United States has “categorically rejected” the ICC’s decision, citing lack of jurisdiction. Can you shed light on the legal basis for the ICC’s involvement in this case, and the arguments surrounding its jurisdiction?
* Mr. Elbaz, Israel has also challenged the ICC’s jurisdiction, arguing that it is unfairly targeting the Israeli government. How does this decision align with Israel’s stance on international legal bodies, and its past interactions with them?
**(Section 2: Accusations and Due Process)**
* The ICC’s warrants accuse Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes and crimes against humanity, specifically concerning the deprivation of essential goods to the civilian population in Gaza. Professor Cohen, what are the legal standards for proving such accusations, and what burden of proof does the ICC need to meet?
* Mr. Elbaz, what is the Israeli government’s response to these specific accusations? How do they view the evidence presented by the ICC?
**(Section 3: Political Implications and International Reactions)**
* This decision has sparked diverse reactions globally. Professor Cohen, what are the potential political ramifications of the ICC’s decision, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and international relations?
* Mr. Elbaz, how do you anticipate this decision will impact the ongoing peace negotiations and efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the region?
**(Section 4: The Future of Accountability)**
* Looking forward, what are the possible scenarios in this case? Professor Cohen, how does the ICC typically handle situations where its member states do not cooperate with its rulings?
* Mr. Elbaz, what steps, if any, do you believe the Israeli government should take in response to this decision?
**Concluding Remarks:**
Thank you both for your insightful perspectives on this complex and multifaceted issue. It’s clear that the ICC’s arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant have sparked a wave of discussion and debate.
As this situation unfolds, World Today News will continue to provide ongoing coverage and analysis. We encourage our viewers to engage in informed conversation and critically evaluate the various perspectives surrounding this critical issue.
**(Note: This is a structured outline for a potential interview. The specific questions and responses may vary depending on the guest’s perspectives and the ongoing developments surrounding the case. Remember to cite the source [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Criminal_Court_arrest_warrants_for_Israeli_figures)I) as per the instructions.) )**
