US rejects ICC's Netanyahu warrant, Hamas celebrates as reactions pour in

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant on Thursday afternoon, eliciting global uproar following the move. 

The United States rejected a decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense chief, a White House National Security Council spokesperson said.

"The United States fundamentally rejects the Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials. We remain deeply concerned by the Prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision," the spokesperson said, adding the US is discussing next steps with its partners.

A statement from President Biden added, "Let me be clear once again: whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence — none — between Israel and Hamas.  We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security."

The Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, where the ICC is located, said that the country will "follow the instructions. If Netanyahu or Gallant land, they will be arrested," FM Caspar Veldkamp said. 

A French Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the arrest warrant would "be in line with the court's statutes" but declined to say if they would arrest Netanyahu or Gallant if they entered the country. 

When asked during a news conference if France would arrest Netanyahu, Christophe Lemoine said it was a legally complicated question.

"It's a point that is legally complex so I'm not going to comment on it today," he said.

The Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister, Caspar Veldkamp, promised that Netanyahu or Gallant would be arrested should they attempt to enter The Netherlands, De Telegraaf reported. 

"The Netherlands is fully cooperating with the International Criminal Court," the minister said. "I take this very seriously. I cannot function as Minister of Foreign Affairs in this way. The leaking would have consequences for my security."

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a Hamas leader were a significant and serious step.

"The decision ... is an extremely significant step," Harris said in a statement. "These charges could not be more serious.

"Ireland respects the role of the International Criminal Court. Anyone in a position to assist it in carrying out its vital work must now do so with urgency."

Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell stressed that the ICC ruling applied to all state members of the European Union.

"I take note of the decision of the @IntlCrimCourt to issue arrest warrants for Israel PM Netanyahu, former Minister Gallant, and Hamas leader Deif," he wrote. "These decisions are binding on all States party to the Rome Statute, which includes all EU Member States."

I take note of the decision of the @IntlCrimCourt to issue arrest warrants for Israel PM Netanyahu, former Minister Gallant, and Hamas leader Deif. These decisions are binding on all States party to the Rome Statute, which includes all EU Member States.

— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) November 21, 2024

Britain respects the independence of the International Criminal Court, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson said on Thursday, after it issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his ex-defense chief and a Hamas leader.

"We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court, which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern," the spokesperson told reporters.

"There is no moral equivalence between Israel and democracy and Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, which are terrorist organisations. We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the devastating violence in Gaza."

Javier Millei, Argentina's leader who is undergoing a conversion to Judaism, shared multiple condemnations of the ICC' decision to issue warrants against Israeli leadership.

"The Argentine Republic expresses its profound disagreement with the recent decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants against the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the former Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant. This resolution ignores Israel's legitimate right to defend itself against constant attacks by terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah," one of the posts read. "Israel faces brutal aggression, inhumane hostage-taking, and the indiscriminate launching of attacks against its population. Criminalizing the legitimate defense of a nation while ignoring these atrocities is an act that distorts the spirit of international justice.

"Argentina stands in solidarity with Israel, reaffirms its right to protect its people, and demands the immediate release of all hostages. We call on the international community to condemn the actions of Hamas and Hezbollah, to defend Israel's sovereignty and to act with justice and impartiality in the search for lasting peace in the region."

Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said, "It is important that the ICC carries out its mandate in a judicious manner. I have confidence that the court will proceed with the case based on the highest fair trial standards."

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said Sweden and the EU "support the court's important work and protect its independence and integrity". Swedish law enforcement authorities decide on the arrest of subjects of ICC warrants on Swedish territory, she added.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the ICC arrest warrant was a "hopeful" and extremely important step in bringing to justice Israeli authorities who committed "genocide" against Palestinians. "We will continue to work to ensure that international law is implemented to punish genocide," Fidan also said.

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the ICC rulings should be respected and implemented, adding that "Palestinians deserve justice."

South Africa, which has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza with the International Court of Justice, welcomed the ICC’s decision.

"These actions mark a significant step towards justice for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Palestine."

Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV),  who reacted against the recent antisemitic pogroms in Amsterdam, shared his ongoing support for Israel. "Imagine you lead a democratic nation heavily under attack, facing an existential threat. And instead of receiving international understanding and support you are confronted with an arrest warrant." 

Imagine you lead a democratic nation heavily under attack, facing an existential threat. Many of your people are slaughtered and raped and taken hostage by Islamic terrorists. You defend your nation and people and rightfully try to eradicate the barbaric terrorists - who hide…

— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) November 22, 2024

"The world has gone mad," Wilders stated. "I am proud to meet my friend Netanyahu soon in Israel."

Prime Minister Robert Golob said that Slovenia "will fully comply" and respect arrest warrants for Israel and Hamas leaders issued by the ICC.

Hamas responds to warrant

Terrorist group Hamas on Thursday welcomed the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and its former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

"We call on the International Criminal Court to expand the scope of accountability to all criminal occupation leaders," Hamas said in a statement. 

The PA welcomed the decision and urged members of the court to implement it, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

Israel critics respond

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, a long-time critic of Israel, responded to the news on X/Twitter writing that "As the int'l community braces for potential repercussions, we must work together to keep the flame of accountbility burning bright. May this time of darkness see the call for Justice grow stronger."

Breaking News: The ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber has just issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. As the int'l community braces for potential repercussions, we must work together to keep the flame of accountbility… https://t.co/Z8Qdutt0az

— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) November 21, 2024

Dan Bilzerian, a professional gambler accused of antisemitism, also commented, "ICC just issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, the Israeli terrorist that our treasonous politicians pledge allegiance to on a daily basis."

Organizations react

The Anti-Defamation League described the ICC's warrant as "shameful and wholly polical", adding that the accusations were " rooted in unsubstantiated and specious claims, which run counter to the realities on the ground in Gaza."

The ADL further claimed that the ICC's move would "further embolden extremists and incite violence against Jews and Israel."

The @IntlCrimCourt's arrest warrant for Israeli PM Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant is a shameful and wholly political action on the part of the court.The ICC’s rationale is rooted in unsubstantiated and specious claims, which run counter to the realities on the… pic.twitter.com/CSg5UHfxhh

— ADL (@ADL) November 21, 2024