Netanyahu calls ICC arrest warrant 'antisemitic,' warns of 'severe consequences'

Reacting to the arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against him on Thursday (Nov 21), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the decision "antisemitic." 

"The antisemitic (anti-Jews) decision of the international court in The Hague is a modern Dreyfus trial, and it will end the same way," Netanyahu said in a video posted on his X account. 

The Dreyfus trial was a political and judicial scandal in France between 1894 and 1906.

A Jewish French Army officer Alfred Dreyfus was wrongfully convicted in that trial in the case of treason of selling military secrets to the Germans.

In the arrest warrants, the ICC accused Netanyahu and his former Defence secretary Yoav Gallant of crimes against humanity and war crimes of forceful starvation in Gaza. 

Also read | US ‘fundamentally rejects’ ICC’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu, says court has no credibility

"Now in International Court in The Hague, also headed by a French judge, is repeating this outrageous offence. It is falsely accusing me, the democratically elected Prime Minister of the state of Israel and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant of deliberately targeting civilians. This is when we do all in our power to avoid civilian casualties," Netanyahu said in the video. 

Netanyahu further defended himself by saying that Israeli authorities send out evacuation messages to the civilians in Gaza through all means to prevent them from harm. He accused that Hamas, on the other hand, uses civilians as a human shield. 

The ICC also alleged that Netanyahu restricted essential humanitarian aid to Gaza such as food, water and medical assistance. 

Netanyahu shunned the accusation saying the ICC falsely accused him of "deliberately" starving Gazans. He claimed Israel served Gaza civilians with 700,000 tons of food. 

"In the last few weeks, Israel facilitated the vaccination of 97 per cent of the people of Gaza against polio. This doesn't prevent the court from accusing us of genocide," said Netanyahu in the posted video. 

Also read | Hamas potentially interested in a hostage deal, says senior Israeli official

Netanyahu said the ICC accused him of false charges to divert the world's attention to the sexual harasser, net charges against Hamas. 

"Nor did the court do anything against the Hamas terrorists who raped our women, beheaded our men, burnt babies alive in front of their parents and kidnapped hundreds of men, women and children to the underground dungeons of Gaza," Netanyahu said. 

He further warned that the ICC and those who support this decision will have to face "severe consequences."

"Our enemies are your enemies. Our victory will be your victory. The victory of civilisation over barbarism and tyranny," said Netanyahu at the end. 

(With inputs from agencies)