PUTRAJAYA: The International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza is appropriate, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister stated that the decision by the global judicial body is justified, as it is founded on law and evidence of ongoing injustice, oppression and killings by the Zionist regime.
"We welcome the decision and agree that they should be arrested even when they are visiting other countries,” he told reporters on Friday (Nov 22) when asked about the ICC's decision after performing Friday prayers at Surau Al-Husna in Precinct 9.
In a historic decision on Thursday (Nov 21), the ICC announced that arrest warrants had been issued against Netanyahu and Gallant for alleged war crimes they committed in the Palestinian territories, including Gaza.
The arrest warrants were issued amid Israel’s ongoing genocidal attacks on Gaza, now in their second year, which have claimed the lives of approximately 44,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 103,000 others.
Anwar remarked that the ICC's decision to issue arrest warrants for the two individuals indirectly confirms the incidents of violence and oppression that have taken place against Palestine and its people.
"This is a confirmation of what has been happening all this time (in Palestine), which is sometimes disputed by some people, because the ICC is a body that decides based on law and evidence,” he said.
The Prime Minister also noted that the ICC’s arrest warrant is a victory for those who have been advocating for justice for Palestine.
"It is a victory for those who uphold justice and humanity and will certainly help alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians and Gazans.
When asked about the United States' decision to reject the arrest warrants, Anwar said: "That’s the US's decision, but I believe the world’s decision is the opposite.”
On Thursday, international media reported that the White House rejected the ICC's decision to issue arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant on charges of crimes against humanity and war in Gaza. – Bernama
