From the Liveblog of
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Germany says it would arrest Netanyahu if ICC issues warrant; Israel: ‘Check your moral compass’
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Israel slams a statement from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that his country would arrest and deport Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if the International Criminal Court implements a warrant for his arrest, Fox News reports.
“I am old enough to remember the German leader coming here days after October 7, and stating that Hamas are the new Nazis. They seek a genocide against the Jews. Many in the world need to check their moral compass and be on the right side of history,” Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Avi Hyman tells Fox.
When asked yesterday if Berlin would execute a potential ICC arrest order, German spokesman Steffen Hebestreit responded, “Of course. Yes, we abide by the law,” according to the report.
Israel’s ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, also decried the statement yesterday in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“This is outrageous!” he posted. “The public statement that Israel has the right to self-defense loses credibility if our hands are tied as soon as we defend ourselves.”
International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan announced earlier this week that he is seeking arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as three Hamas leaders.
The Times of Israel Community.