Israel Criticizes ICC Over Arrest Warrants

Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the International Criminal Court's (ICC) issuance of arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as a 'dark day for justice and humanity,' claiming it undermines the sacrifices made for justice and misrepresents Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas. Herzog argued that the ICC's decision ignores the suffering of Israeli hostages and the use of civilians as human shields by Hamas, accusing the court of siding with terror rather than democracy. Critics of the ICC claim it has developed a bias against Israel, evidenced by its simultaneous warrant for Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, which they argue creates a false moral equivalence between a democratic state and a terrorist group. They assert that the ICC has failed to address real crimes and instead targets those defending themselves, highlighting that the international community often exploits Israel's moral stance rather than supports it. The situation reflects a broader frustration with global institutions perceived as lacking fairness and integrity in their dealings with Israel.