Netanyahu denounces ICC as "corrupt" over war crimes arrest warrants

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticised the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling it a "corrupt, evil organisation" and rejecting its decision to issue arrest warrants against him over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

Speaking about the court in a Fox News interview, Netanyahu questioned why it had targeted him while, in his view, failing to hold other actors accountable.

“The ICC doesn't charge the Iranians. They don't charge Hezbollah. They supposedly charged Hamas, but the guy was already dead. It's fake. It's one big fake,” Netanyahu said.

He also argued that the ICC, which he described as an "unelected bureaucracy," could one day target U.S. leaders and military personnel.

“ICC had a prosecutor who issued arrest warrants against me and the former Defence Minister as war criminals, supposedly for starvation—starving the people of Gaza. We gave a million tons of food for them. But he decided to do that. Why did he do that?” Netanyahu said.

The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

Israel has rejected the allegations and disputes the court's jurisdiction. The United States is also not a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, and is therefore not subject to the same obligations as ICC member states regarding the arrest and surrender of individuals wanted by the court.

By Sabina Mammadli