Charlotte Gauthier
Jerusalem
Published on November 22, 2024 at 08:20. / Modified on November 22, 2024 at 09:01.
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The issuance of arrest warrants against Benyamin Netanyahu and his former Minister of Defense has caused a strong reaction in Israel.
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Many Israelis believe that it is up to them to judge the behavior of their leaders.
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On the side of Gazans, these mandates arouse skepticism
The news of these arrest warrants issued against Netanyahu and Gallant did not shake the Israelis. In Jerusalem, everyone goes about their business as the Sabbath approaches, a day of rest for the Jews. However, when Israelis are asked about these accusations of war crimes and against humanity, the unease is palpable. “It’s a complicated, delicate subject… I don’t have a completely clear-cut opinion,” begins Liat. Having just graduated in philosophy, she admits to “not being a fan of Netanyahu”. But she says she is above all “pro-Israel”, and gives little credit to the International Criminal Court (ICC): “I believe in my country, and I do not trust international institutions. Netanyahu must be accountable, but only to us. If he is to be judged, it is here and not elsewhere.”
Itai, also a student, presents himself automatically as an “anti-Bibi”, meaning an opponent of the Israeli prime minister. He acknowledges that “bad things were done on both sides” during this war. But for him, these arrest warrants are in reality an attack “directed against Israel”. “It’s not about Netanyahu. This entire ICC procedure calls into question our legitimacy. This reflects poorly on Israel and Israelis.” Zalman, a retiree, is especially indignant that arrest warrants have been issued against both Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and the leader of Hamas, Mohammed Deif. And it doesn't matter if they were the subject of two separate press releases. “The International Criminal Court puts our leaders on the same level as a leader of Hamas. It is an assumed way of establishing an equivalence. And to act as if they were all in the same basket!” But this Israeli-American is reassured: “the most important thing” is the “unconditional support of the United States for Israel on this issue”. Washington actually “categorically rejected” these arrest warrants.
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