US President Joe Biden criticised the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday over its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, terming the decision “outrageous.”
“Whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence—none—between Israel and Hamas,” Biden asserted.
The ICC accused Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Biden reiterated unwavering US support for Israel, stating, “We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security.”
Argentina's President Javier Milei also condemned the decision, describing it as disregard for Israel's right to self-defence against attacks by groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
“No outrageous anti-Israel decision will prevent us—and it will not prevent me—from continuing to defend our country in every way,” Netanyahu said in a video statement, calling Thursday’s decision a “dark day in the history of nations.”
“The International Criminal Court in The Hague, which was established to protect humanity, has today become the enemy of humanity,” Netanyahu added, terming the accusations “utterly baseless.”
The British government offered a measured response, stating, “We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court, which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern.”
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan urged States Parties to honour their commitments under the Rome Statute.
He said, “I appeal to all States Parties to live up to their commitment to the Rome Statute by respecting and complying with these judicial orders.”
The court stated it has “reasonable grounds” to believe Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility as co-perpetrators for alleged war crimes, including starvation as a method of warfare, and crimes against humanity such as murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.
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