Israel has called on the “civilised world” to refuse to honour any arrest warrants against its leaders from the International Criminal Court.
Tal Heinrich, a government spokesperson, said: “We call on the nations of the civilised, free world – nations who despise terrorists and anyone who supports them – to stand by Israel. You should outright condemn this step.”
”Make sure the ICC understands where you stand. Oppose the prosecutor’s decision and declare that, even if warrants are issued, you do not intend to enforce them. Because this is not about our leaders. It’s about our survival.”
When asked if Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister, or Yoav Gallant, the defence minister, would travel abroad to ICC-signatory countries in the event arrest warrants are issued, Mr Heinrich said “let’s wait and see”.
Earlier in the day, Mr Gallant described the request for an arrest warrant against him as “despicable and disgusting”.
The reaction from Israel’s allies in the West has been mixed, with some saying that any ruling made by the ICC should be respected, while others have expressed dismay at the fact that Israeli officials were listed on the same charge sheet as Hamas leaders.
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