Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly criticized the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to pursue war crime charges against him as “antisemitic.” The ICC prosecutor is seeking arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders, citing alleged war crimes during the Israel-Hamas conflict, including collective punishment and civilian suffering in Gaza. Netanyahu rejected comparisons between Israel and Hamas, calling the charges “a moral disgrace” and emphasizing Israel’s right to self-defense.

The allegations stem from the Gaza war, where both Israeli military actions and Hamas’s attacks are under scrutiny. Netanyahu argued that Israel operates under strict ethical codes and condemned attempts to equate its actions with those of “terrorists.” The accusations, he said, are politically motivated and undermine the credibility of international justice.

While Israel is not an ICC member, the potential arrest warrants could isolate its leaders internationally and limit their global mobility. Netanyahu’s government, backed by U.S. officials, plans to resist these efforts, with allies labeling the move “outrageous.” Critics within Israel have also decried the charges, highlighting the war’s origins in Hamas’s October 7 attacks.

The ICC prosecutor also seeks accountability for Hamas leaders over the massacre of Israeli civilians. However, Netanyahu warned that such legal actions could embolden Israel’s enemies and destabilize international law. Israeli officials vowed to challenge the ICC’s jurisdiction and prevent enforcement of any warrants, framing the charges as a broader attack on the state of Israel and its sovereignty.