A decision by the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials was met with anger and annoyance. But the most palpable sentiment was one of unity.
The prime minister said the ICC judges were “motivated by antisemitic sentiments against the one and only Jewish state.” Meanwhile, opposition leader Yair Lapid called the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant a “reward for terrorism.”
Gil Siegal, a legal scholar at the Ono Academic College in Israel, said The Hague-based court’s decision has united Israelis, many of whom believe the ICC and other international organizations, including the United Nations, are biased against their country.
And while many oppose Netanyahu and his government – mass protests calling for his resignation are now happening weekly – most feel he has been targeted unfairly by the ICC and see the move as an attack on Israel rather than just the prime minister.
