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Yesterday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) took an unprecedented, reckless, and morally skewed action. The chief prosecutor has announced his request for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, accusing them of war crimes. This is the most disgraceful act in the ICC's history, a complete betrayal of justice and morality, and a direct attack on Israel and the democratic world.
The ICC was established to pursue the world's worst criminals and bring justice to the victims of horrendous atrocities. Yet, instead of focusing on terrorist leaders who commit real war crimes, it chooses to target those defending their citizens from murderous attacks. Comparing Israel to brutal dictatorships and terrorist organizations like Hamas, which glorify death and commit atrocities, is an outrageous and disgraceful distortion of justice.
Israel is a democratic nation that scrupulously adheres to international law. It values and protects human life, taking unparalleled measures to avoid civilian casualties in its defense operations. The contrast between Israel's adherence to legal and moral standards and the brutal tactics of terrorist organizations could not be starker.
On Oct. 7, Israel experienced one of the most horrific events in its history. Hamas terrorists invaded southern cities and carried out a brutal massacre. More than 1,200 Israelis, including children and foreign citizens, were murdered in cold blood. This is a horrific reality that cannot be ignored, yet the ICC chooses to stand on the wrong side of history, ignoring the victims and legitimizing terror.
The ICC's attempt to issue arrest warrants against Israeli leaders that equate them with the very terrorists who carried out these horrendous acts is nothing less than an effort to undermine the legitimacy of the State of Israel and weaken our justified fight against terror. This is a dangerous attempt to erode international justice and morality and place Israel under an unjustified legal attack.
This behavior by the ICC is not just a betrayal of Israel but of all democratic principles and international justice.
The ICC's decision will cause irreparable damage to the global fight against terror. It legitimizes terrorist organizations, sending the message that the international community will not stand by a nation fighting for its citizens' lives. This is a message of weakness, fear, and hesitation instead of resolve and justice.
The international community must wake up and understand the severe dangers posed by this decision. It must stand by Israel, a nation defending democratic and humanitarian values, and strongly condemn this atrocious decision by the ICC. Israel will not succumb to unfair international pressure and will not allow this decision to undermine its resolve to protect its citizens and fight terror.
The facts stand in stark contrast to the prosecutor's claims. Humanitarian aid flows into Gaza by air, sea, and land. Israel does everything possible to prevent famine or an international crisis. No country has ever taken such measures in the history of warfare. Yet, Israel is still under attack. This baseless accusation echoes the ancient blood libels and is nothing short of antisemitism.
The ICC, in its current decision, has lost all moral authority. It has chosen to stand on the wrong side of history and offer indirect support to terrorists. We will stand firm and continue to defend our security and sovereignty. This disgraceful act will not go unanswered. History will judge those who chose to abandon justice and morality, and those who remained faithful to the true values of freedom and justice.
This is a call to all nations: awaken to the grave implications of this decision. Stand by Israel in its just struggle and do not allow such distortions of justice to undermine the foundations of international society.
Dan Illouz is a Likud Party member of the Knesset and sits on the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
