Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticized Friday’s decision to launch an ICC and probe into Israel’s war crimes against the Palestinians.
“Today, the court has reaffirmed that it is a political organization and not a judicial institution,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “The court avoids real war crimes and persecutes the State of Israel instead, a country with strong democratic rule, which sanctifies the rule of law, and which is not a member of the court.
“With this decision, the court has violated the rights of democracies to defend themselves against terrorism, and played into the hands of those who weaken efforts to widen the circle of peace. We will continue to protect our citizens and soldiers in every way from legal persecution. “
The prime minister ordered his cabinet not to comment on the matter in public.