The International Criminal Court has charged the Israeli prime minister and a Hamas leader with war crimes. Nations around the world reacted to the ICC’s arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban standing out in his support for Netanyahu. The ICC also issued a warrant for former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and a member of Hamas, its military chief Mohammed Deif. The warrants allege crimes against humanity during a 13-month war in Gaza triggered by a terrorist attack. Israel denies the charges and opposes the ICC’s decision. Other countries like Slovenia, France, Germany, and the United States have varying responses to the arrest warrants. Israeli officials, including Netanyahu’s political rivals, condemned the action, while Hamas welcomed the warrants. Netanyahu compared the ICC’s decision to a modern-day Dreyfus trial, referencing a historical case of injustice. He defended Israel’s actions in Gaza, emphasizing efforts to avoid civilian casualties and provide humanitarian aid.
Netanyahu expressed his concern, stating, “This doesn’t prevent the court of accusing us of genocide.” He emphasized that “No biased anti-Israel decision in The Hague will prevent the State of Israel from defending its citizens.”
Netanyahu and Orban have had a close relationship for decades. Netanyahu expressed his gratitude towards Orban when Hungary opened a trade office with “diplomatic status” in Jerusalem in 2019, following the relocation of the American Embassy by then-President Donald Trump.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
