Lapid blames Netanyahu for ICC arrest warrant, urges Gantz to leave coalition

Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the ICC chief prosecutor's plan to issue arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, blaming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the situation.

"This is a political and ethical disaster. How can it be that warrants are issued against Netanyahu, Sinwar, and Deif? This parallel is unacceptable. We will not accept it, and we will not forgive it. But this is a huge political failure. I count on the American administration to support us," Lapid said.

He also urged Benny Gantz, leader of the Machane Mamlachti and a member of the military cabinet, to leave the coalition.

Benny Gantz expressed outrage over equating Israel's leaders with Hamas'.

"The parallels between the leadership of a democratic country defending itself from a monstrous attack and the leaders of a bloodthirsty terrorist group are a distortion of justice and evidence of moral bankruptcy," he stated.

The ICC chief prosecutor, Karim Ahmad Khan, has requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, and Hamas' military wing leader Mohammed Deif on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.