'Israel' files appeal against Netanyahu, Gallant ICC arrest warrants
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"Israel" has continually disputed the court's jurisdiction, because it is not a member of the ICC.
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The International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands on September 16, 2024. (AP)
The Israeli occupation filed an appeal on Sunday against the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Security Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes in Gaza, "Israel's" Army Radio reported.
"Israel" has continually disputed the court's jurisdiction because it is not a member of the ICC.
Netanyahu had earlier condemned the warrants, calling them "anti-Semitic".
"Israel challenges the jurisdiction of the ICC and the legitimacy of the arrest warrants," a statement by the Israeli premier's office read.
It added that "if the court rejects this request, it will further demonstrate to Israel's friends in the United States and around the world how biased the International Criminal Court is against the State of Israel."
In that context, it is important to note that "Israel" has requested that the ICC suspend the warrants until the appeal is resolved.
Borrell urges EU member states to respect ICC decisions
Last month, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urged all EU member states to abide by the International Criminal Court's rulings, particularly the arrest warrant issued against Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Borrell told journalists, "We cannot undermine the International Criminal Court. It is the only way of having global justice," explaining that the court is not political but rather "a legal body formed by respected people who are the best among the profession of judges."
Though all EU member states have signed the ICC's founding treaty, France on Wednesday backtracked on its commitments to the court and announced that it would not detain Netanyahu and former Security Minister Yoav Gallant despite the arrest warrants issued against them.
France decided to retain the Israeli officials' freedom on its lands, citing "historically cordial relations" that linked it to "Israel", as well as the occupation and its own alleged "respect for professional and independent justice, and the integrity of the law."
Italian Deputy Premier, Transport Minister, and far-right League party leader Matteo Salvini declared that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be warmly welcomed in Italy, despite the recent war crimes charges leveled against him by the ICC.
"I plan to meet with members of the Israeli government soon, and if Netanyahu came to Italy, he would be welcome. The war criminals are others," Salvini stated, dismissing the ICC's decision. He criticized the label of "war criminal" as "disrespectful" for "the prime minister of one of the few democracies in the Middle East."
