The decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has sparked outrage and division across the international stage. US President Joe Biden condemned the court’s actions as “scandalous,” calling the comparison between Israel’s leadership and Hamas “incomparable.” The court’s ruling follows accusations that Netanyahu and Gallant, along with Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, committed crimes against humanity during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While the ICC claims there are “reasonable grounds” to hold them accountable, Biden reaffirmed his unwavering support for Israel, stressing the nation’s right to self-defense.
The decision has also been met with defiance from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has invited Netanyahu to visit Hungary as a direct challenge to the ICC’s authority. Orbán made it clear that the court’s verdict would have no legal standing in his country. Netanyahu, in turn, praised Orbán for his “moral clarity,” contrasting Hungary’s stance with what he described as the “weakness” of those supporting the court’s decision. Meanwhile, Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, have dismissed the charges, with the Prime Minister claiming that Israel’s actions in Gaza were aimed at neutralizing a terrorist threat, not committing war crimes.
In Italy, the reaction to the ICC’s ruling has been similarly mixed. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto criticized the comparison between Israel and Hamas, while acknowledging that if Netanyahu and Gallant entered Italy, they would be subject to arrest under international law. However, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini rejected the idea, emphasizing Israel’s right to defend itself and calling Netanyahu a “welcome guest” in Italy. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed the government’s position would align with its allies, signaling ongoing diplomatic deliberations within the EU over how to handle the ICC’s demands.
