FM: Potential ICC arrest warrants against Israeli officials ‘a historical disgrace that will be remembered forever’

Foreign Minister Israel Katz issues a statement calling the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court’s request for arrest warrants against Israeli officials an “unrestrained direct attack” on the victims of Hamas’s October 7 onslaught and the hostages still being held in Gaza.

“While Hamas murderers and rapists commit crimes against humanity against our brothers and sisters, the [ICC] prosecutor mentions in the same breath the prime minister and defense minister of Israel alongside the vile Nazi-like monsters of Hamas – a historical disgrace that will be remembered forever,” added Katz.

Katz said he immediately instructed the Foreign Ministry to open a specialized situation room focused on “fighting against the decision intended primarily to shackle Israel’s hands and prevent it from exercising its right to self-defense.”

Katz’s comments come hours after ICC chief prosecutor Karim Kahn said he has requested arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for the crimes of “causing extermination, causing starvation as a method of war including the denial of humanitarian relief supplies, deliberately targeting civilians in conflict.”

He also announced that he is applying for arrest warrants against Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh.