Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant has described as "despicable" the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor's request for arrest warrants against him and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"ICC prosecutor Karim Khan's attempt to turn the situation around will not succeed. The parallel he draws between the terrorist organization Hamas and the state of Israel is despicable," Galant said, referring to arrest warrants also sought against leaders of the Palestinian Islamist movement.
"Prosecutor Karim Khan's attempt to deprive the State of Israel of the right to defend itself and secure the release of hostages held in Gaza must be categorically rejected," Galant continued.
Senior Israeli officials, including President Isaac Herzog, criticized the ICC prosecutor's actions against Netanyahu and Galant.
On May 20, Kareem Khan announced that he had requested arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Galant for crimes such as "intentionally causing artificial starvation of civilians," "premeditated murder," and "extermination and/or murder" in connection with the Israeli operation in Gaza.
The ICC prosecutor has also sought warrants for three senior Hamas officials - Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammed Deif and Yahya Sinwar - for crimes including "extermination," "rape and other forms of sexual violence" and "hostage-taking as a war crime" in connection with the Islamist movement's attack on Israel on October 7. / BGNES
