The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has no authority over the State of Israel, but the possible decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials and military personnel was a “scandal of historic proportions,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday.
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In a special video address to the nation, Netanyahu stressed that nothing in the world, including a possible ICC decision, will change Israel’s determination to achieve the goals of the Gaza war and carry out the operation in Rafah on the border with Egypt.
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“There are many forces trying to prevent us from doing this (achieving the goals of the war). Recently they were joined by another force – the International Criminal Court in The Hague. This court has no power over the State of Israel. The possibility that it will issue arrest warrants for army commanders Israel and the leaders of the state, is a scandal of historic proportions,” the prime minister said.
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It was previously reported that the ICC is preparing to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu himself, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi in connection with Israeli accusations of committing war crimes against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The media reported that Israel took seriously the information about the possible issuance of arrest warrants for officials. NBC News, citing sources, reported that Israel is working to prevent the warrants from being issued through diplomatic channels.
