Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on world leaders to prevent the International Criminal Court (ICC) from issuing arrest warrants for Israeli officials. “No decision taken in The Hague (based in the Netherlands) or anywhere else can weaken our determination to achieve all the objectives of the war (in Gaza since October 7, 2023),” Netanyahu told the ICC. He objected with his statements.
The Israeli Prime Minister said that the aim of the attacks on the Gaza Strip was to “release all those kidnapped, achieve absolute victory against Hamas and ensure that Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel again.”
Pointing to mutual attacks with Lebanese and Palestinian groups in Lebanon, Netanyahu stated that “another goal of the war is to restore security and resettle citizens in the north (villages and towns on the Lebanese borders).”
Netanyahu said, “We will enter Rafah (to the south of the Gaza Strip on the Egyptian border) and we have no choice. There we will destroy the Hamas brigades and achieve all the objectives of the war.” said.
“IT IS ANTISEMISM”
Netanyahu, who insisted on occupying Rafah despite international warnings that it would result in disaster on the grounds that it was “the last stronghold of Hamas”, said: “There are many forces that want to prevent us from doing this, and the ICC recently joined them.” he said.
Netanyahu said, “The court has no authority over Israel; the possibility of it issuing arrest warrants against military and state officials on the grounds of war crimes is a historical scandal and anti-Semitism.” he said.
Pointing to the possibility of issuing an arrest warrant, Netanyahu called on “the leaders of the free world to use all their influence to stop this dangerous step.”
ISRAELI TELEVISION ANNOUNCED
In the news of Channel 12 television broadcasting in Israel on April 19, it was announced that the ICC was working on issuing an international arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior Israeli officials on the grounds that they committed war crimes in the Gaza Strip.
In the news on Israel’s “Walla” website, it was stated that Israeli officials have become more concerned in the last two weeks that the ICC is preparing to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs also asked its embassies around the world to be prepared for the repercussions that may arise if the ICC issues an arrest warrant for Israeli officials. (AA)