ICC issues arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, sparking significant divisions among Western nations
On Nov. 21, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Benny Gantz, a decision that has drawn widespread attention from the international community.
On Nov. 23, various countries and international organizations expressed their viewpoints on the matter. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described the ICC's decision as courageous, asserting that all member states of the ICC should comply with the ruling.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell emphasized that all EU member states are signatories to the Rome Statute, which obligates them to enforce the arrest warrants issued by the ICC.
However, the decision has led to significant divisions among Western nations. The US and Czech Republic have expressed strong support for Israel, while countries such as Canada, Australia, and several European nations—including the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Finland, Portugal, and Ireland—have shown respect for and support of the ICC's ruling. Analysts suggest that the real impact of the ICC's decision lies in how it affects its allies, particularly in the West, who now face a choice between supporting Israel or upholding international institutions and law.
Despite Israel not being a member of the ICC, the court stated in its announcement that Palestine's accession to the Rome Statute enables it to exercise jurisdiction over cases related to events occurring in Palestinian territories.
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