ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrant against Netanyahu – DW – 05/20/2024

Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (CBI), Karim Khan has requested the court to issue an arrest warrant against the Israeli Prime Minister this Monday (05/20/2024). Benjamin NetanyahuAs well as the leader HamasYahya Sinwar, among others, for war crimes and crimes against humanity

Khan indicated in a statement that he had executed arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for the crimes of “deliberate starvation of citizens,” “deliberate murder” and “destruction and/or murder.” Likewise, Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas, is seeking permission from judges to issue arrest warrants against Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, known as Taif, and Yahya Sinwar, the commander of the organization’s armed wing, the Al Qassam Brigades. and against the head of the Hamas Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh.

My office says the evidence we’ve gathered, including interviews with survivors and witnesses, authenticated video, photo and audio materials, satellite images and statements from the alleged perpetrators, shows that Israel deliberately and systematically deprived civilians of everything. Khan argues that “parts of Gaza are vital to human life.” He also insists that the demands presented to the judges today are the “result of an independent and impartial investigation” by his office. And this is not the first time. Crimes committed in the Palestinian Territories should be investigated.

Angry reactions on both sides

The announcement has been heavily criticized by members of the Israeli government for weeks Fears that he might issue such an order against Netanyahu, like from Hamas. The decision is “tantamount to the executioner of the victim” and encourages Israel to continue its “war of extermination” in Gaza, for example, said Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior official of the organization considered a terrorist by the European Union and the United States. Among others, the attacks on October 7 led to the current war in Gaza.

“For the leaders of a democratic country determined to defend itself against hateful terrorism is a profound miscarriage of justice and a blatant moral bankruptcy,” Israeli War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz said. For Finance Minister Bezel Smodrich, lawyer Khan’s announcement was “a display of hypocrisy and hatred of Jews.” Even Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called the decision “a disaster”.

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