Criticism of ICJ case echoes across Israeli political sphere

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid and Israeli politicians from across the political spectrum are leveling heavy criticism over the International Court of Justice hearing accusing Jerusalem of genocide in the war against Hamas.

In a video statement posted on X, Lapid says, “It is not Israel that is on trial today, but the integrity of the international community. If a country that protects itself from a brutal murderous terrorist attack can find itself in court for genocide, then the genocide convention has become a reward for terrorism and antisemitism.”
Lapid referenced Hamas’s October 7 massacres and said, “Instead of the murderers being put on trial, the world is judging the murdered.”

It is not Israel that is on trial today, but the integrity of the international community.

If a country that protects itself from a brutal, murderous terrorist attack can find herself in court for genocide, then the Genocide Convention has become a reward for terrorism. pic.twitter.com/CgMQgunSpX

— יאיר לפיד – Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) January 11, 2024

After a meeting with German Vice Chancellor Robert Habak in Jerusalem, Economy Minister Nir Barkat says, “Instead of starting proceedings against Hamas, the hypocritical court in The Hague charges Israel with false allegations, fabrications and antisemitic blood libel plots.”

“Anti-Israelism is the new antisemitism,” he charged, adding that Israel tries harder than any other country to minimize civilian casualties “and the court in The Hague is after us. It’s a circle of hypocrisy.”

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett calls it “the Dreyfus affair of the 21st century,” referencing the infamous antisemitic prosecution of a Jewish officer in France over 100 years ago. “This is a shameful display [of] hypocrisy and blatant antisemitism.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir goes with some other choice historical reference points: “Seventy-eight years after the terrible Holocaust visited upon us by the German Nazis and three months after the Nazis from Gaza added to the massacres, the world is joining in… and spreading blood libels against Israel.”

“Never before have so many miscreants taken part in such vile lies,” he adds.