The ICC's reasoning for issuing the arrest warrants amounts to a harsh indictment of Israel's policies in its war on Gaza.
"The ICC’s decision not only undermines the pursuit of peace but also disregards the recognized right of a nation to act in self-defense when facing the threat of Hamas," WJC stated.
"We call on the International Criminal Court to expand the scope of accountability to all criminal occupation leaders," Hamas said in a statement.
The International Criminal Court in The Hague, instead of standing as a bastion of justice, has devolved into a stage for hypocrisy and cowardice.
The ruling could prevent Israeli officials from traveling and comes as the government ignores legal advice to open a state inquiry.
“The Senate must pass or bill to protect Americans and our allies from wrongful targeting by the ICC. Standing up for our great ally Israel shouldn’t be a partisan issue."
The request requires the approval of ICC judges, but their decision has been delayed, partly because of several rounds of legal filings by Israel that have challenged the court's jurisdiction.
ICC judges are reviewing Khan's May request for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, his defense chief and Hamas leaders.
Newly appointed Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar spoke of normalization, the importance of minorities in the Middle East, and the right of Israel to self-defense.
“We have failed to live up to the promise of Never Again that was made in Nuremberg,” ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan told reporters in the German city.
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