Israel has reacted with outrage and defiance to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to seek arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister and defense minister. The move by the ICC has drawn criticism from across the Israeli political spectrum, with both allies and rivals of the prime minister condemning the decision. One of the main points of contention is the perceived moral equivalency being drawn between Israel and Hamas by the ICC.
The Israeli prime minister has vehemently opposed the ICC's decision, citing concerns over the charges, including the use of starvation as a weapon of war. He has highlighted the tons of humanitarian aid that Israel has allowed into Gaza but has faced criticism from humanitarian aid agencies for not meeting the required levels of aid needed by the Palestinian people. The restriction of aid flow into Gaza has been labeled as collective punishment by these agencies.
Additionally, the ICC's top prosecutor has been critical of Israel's means of self-defense, leading to the decision to seek arrest warrants. While the prime minister asserts Israel's right to self-defense, the prosecutor argues that the methods employed by Israel in defending itself are deemed criminal based on the evidence presented.
