Karim Khan, chief prosecutor on the Worldwide Felony Courtroom, says he has proof that the leaders have dedicated struggle crimes and crimes in opposition to humanity, amongst different issues.
“At this time we emphasize once more that worldwide regulation and the legal guidelines of struggle apply to everybody. No foot soldier, no commander, no civilian chief – nobody – can act with impunity,” he writes in a single assertion.
Warfare between Israel and Hamas
The counterattack: “Anti-Semitism”
The statements have made all these identified see purple. Each Hamas and Israel react to being talked about in the identical assertion.
– It is a full distortion of actuality. That is precisely what the brand new anti-Semitism appears to be like like, Netanyahu mentioned in a video look.
Hamas calls for in a press release that the appliance be withdrawn. The terrorist group condemns what they name the prosecutor’s “try to equate the sufferer with the executioner”.
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Hear ICC chief prosecutor: Netanyahu ought to be arrested. Correction: In a earlier model of this video, the fallacious subtitles have been printed on account of a technical error. This has now been fastened. Photograph: ICC
Criticism from the USA
US President Joe Biden additionally reacted strongly to the ICC prosecutor’s announcement.
– I wish to be clear that we reject the ICC’s utility for an arrest warrant, he mentioned in a press release throughout an occasion on the White Home linked to “Jewish American Heritage Month” on Monday.
– Israel and Hamas are by no means equal. It’s clear that Israel desires to do the whole lot it may possibly to make sure civilian safety. Let me emphasize that what’s going on will not be genocide, the president added.
Biden will not be alone within the criticism. A spokesman for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described to Reuters the prosecutor’s actions as unhelpful:
“This doesn’t contribute to reaching a pause within the combating, getting the hostages out or bringing in humanitarian support.”
Even the Speaker of the US Home of Representatives, Mike Johnson, highlights criticism. He confirms that Republican leaders are taking a look at sanctions in opposition to the ICC.
– If the ICC is allowed to threaten Israeli leaders, ours could possibly be subsequent, Johnson mentioned in a press release on Monday, in response to CNN.
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Hear worldwide regulation professor Pål Wånge: It occurs if the arrest warrant goes by. Photograph: SVT/Reuters