ALBAWABA - Recent ICC arrest orders for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif have generated global outrage. Despite other governments promising to cooperate with the court, Hungary has openly invited Netanyahu to visit.
Three figures were charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity by the ICC on Thursday.
Global Responses to ICC Warrants Ireland
Simon Harris, the Irish prime minister, said Netanyahu would be arrested if he entered. Harris told RTÉ, “We fully support international courts and adhere to their arrest warrants.”
Slovenia
The Slovenian Press Agency reported that Prime Minister Robert Golob declared Slovenia's full compliance with the ICC's judgment.
Hungary
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called the ICC verdict deplorable. He told state radio, “We will challenge this decision. Netanyahu will be invited to Hungary, where I can assure the ICC warrant will not apply.”
Italy
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said that while the ICC judgment was erroneous, Italy would have to arrest Netanyahu if he arrived. “We disagree with the court, but international law requires us to comply,” Crosetto added.
USA
President Joe Biden of the United States slammed the ICC's ruling as "outrageous" and emphasized that "there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas." Biden vowed to defend Israel.
Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reaffirmed Canada's adherence to international court verdicts.
France
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed its support for the ICC's Rome Statute independence and defined the warrants as formalizing charges, not judgments.
Dutch Foreign Minister Kasper Veldkamp canceled a visit to Israel in response to the ICC verdict, stating his country's preparedness to enforce arrest warrants.
Switzerland
Swiss authorities confirmed they must arrest Netanyahu and Gallant upon entry. The Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed ICC independence.
Cyprus
Cyprus officials said they are studying the matter but recognize the ICC's findings as binding.
China
The Chinese Foreign Ministry urged the ICC to act impartially and legally.
Iran
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Commander Hossein Salami called the ICC's decision a “political death blow to the Zionist regime,” isolating Israeli officials worldwide.
Senator Bernie Sanders
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders supported the ICC judgment, emphasizing accountability. “If international law is not upheld, we risk descending into barbarism.”
Hamas official Ezzat al-Rishq praised the ICC's ruling as a "victory for justice and humanity." He urged all nations to help prosecute Netanyahu and Gallant, accusing the U.S. of war crimes for shielding them.
ICC warrants have strained diplomatic relations as states debate how to handle the rare scenario involving a sitting Israeli prime minister.
