France, Belgium, and other European allies have expressed their support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) amidst demands from the U.S. to drop accusations of war crimes against Israel. The U.S. and Israel have protested after ICC prosecutor Karim Khan filed applications for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes. France has stated its support for the ICC, its independence, and the fight against impunity. Slovenia also supports the ICC, emphasizing the importance of impartial accountability in addressing the Israel-Hamas conflict. Belgium also expressed support for the ICC’s work, recognizing the significance of the arrest warrants requested by the Court’s prosecutor.
However, Germany has expressed hesitation regarding the accusations against Israeli leadership, suggesting that the simultaneous application for arrest warrants against Hamas leaders and Israeli officials could create a false impression of equivalence. Khan has stated that there is evidence to believe Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the State of Palestine, including starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and deliberate attacks on civilian populations. Khan is also seeking arrest warrants for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, top political leader Ismail Haniyeh, and military commander Mohammed Deif. The Israeli government has strongly criticized the ICC’s handling of the situation, with Netanyahu rejecting the comparison made by the Hague prosecutor between Israel and Hamas.
Following the ICC’s announcement, President Biden publicly backed Israel, rejecting the ICC’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders and emphasizing that there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas. Biden stated that Israel is committed to ensuring civilian protection and fighting against the violence perpetrated by Hamas. Despite the support from European allies and the U.S. government, tensions continue to rise over the ICC’s actions and accusations of war crimes against Israeli officials and Hamas leaders. The situation remains complex and politically charged, with different countries taking varying stances on the issue. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and the involvement of the ICC further complicates the situation, highlighting the challenges of addressing allegations of war crimes and promoting accountability. The international community continues to monitor the developments and responses to the ICC’s actions in relation to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
