The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague (Netherlands) last month ordered the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant because there were grounds to believe they committed war crimes and other acts of terrorism. inhumane acts in the Gaza Strip. Israel does not recognize the ICC’s authority and denies the charges.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and Mr. Yoav Gallant when he was Defense Minister at an event in late October
On December 16, RT quoted Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi as saying that the ICC usually does not prosecute Israeli officials. “That court probably will not issue a death sentence because they are affiliated with the United Nations. Issuing a death sentence to Netanyahu is not unfeasible,” Mr. Gharibabadi said and suggested another mechanism.
“Many countries have abolished the death penalty, but there are more than 55 countries that still have this form of punishment in law. Therefore, two or three like-minded countries that support the Palestinians and oppose Israeli crimes can unite and forming a general court to give death sentences to these officials. We should try to see if that is possible,” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister said.
In November, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant deserved the death penalty.
The rivalry between Iran and Israel has escalated after two back-and-forth attacks in April and October. Israel accused Iran of orchestrating a Hamas attack on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people. . In response, Israel launched a military campaign in the Gaza Strip, to date killing more than 45,000 people, according to the Palestinian side.
The Israeli side officially protested the ICC’s arrest warrant against Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Minister Gallant on December 15.
