President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey on Saturday applauded the “courageous decision” of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to seek the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant.
“We support the arrest warrant. We consider it important that this courageous decision be carried out by all country members of the accord to renew the trust of humanity in the international system,” Erdogan said in a speech in Istanbul.
On Thursday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued warrants against Israeli authorities and Hamas military head Mohammed Deif on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the Gaza War.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu accused the ICC of anti-Semitism on Thursday when it issued arrest warrants for him and Gallant.
“It is imperative that western countries—who for years have given the world lessons on law, justice, and human rights—keep their promises at this stage,” added Erdogan, whose country is not a state party in the ICC accord.
Erdogan has become a harsh critic of Israel since the military war on Gaza began in October 2023.
He has repeatedly threatened to ensure that Israel’s prime minister, who has vehemently attacked the ICC warrants, is “brought to account” for the Israeli military campaign in Palestinian territories.
This month, Turkey and 52 other countries wrote to the United Nations, urging that all military sales and deliveries to Israel be stopped.
