By Joke Kujenya
ISRAELI FOREIGN Minister Israel Katz is set to embark on a diplomatic mission to Paris, where he will engage in crucial discussions with French officials and Jewish leaders.
Katz’s agenda includes meetings with his French counterpart Stéphane Séjourné, National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet, Senate President Gérard Larcher, and representatives of the Jewish community.
Katz has articulated his intent to address several pressing issues during his visit.
Among the topics on the table are the recent decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to pursue arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, the ongoing conflict in Rafah, French efforts to broker a ceasefire in Lebanon, sanctions against Iran, and the alarming rise of antisemitism in France.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also issued a video statement condemning the ICC’s decision as “absurd and false.”
He vehemently rejects the notion of arrest warrants being issued against himself and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, alongside top Hamas leaders, by ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan.
Netanyahu characterized the move as an assault on the entire State of Israel and its defense forces, accusing the ICC of equating Hamas terrorists with IDF soldiers.
In an unprecedented development, Khan has announced his intention to seek arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, as well as Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh.
The charges include crimes against humanity such as extermination, murder, hostage-taking, rape, and sexual assault.
The decision by the ICC prosecutor has sparked outrage in Israel, with government officials and opposition leaders alike condemning the move. Defense Minister Benny Gantz labeled it “a crime of historic proportions,” emphasizing Israel’s commitment to upholding international law while defending itself against terrorism.
The United States has also weighed in on the matter, with President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemning the ICC’s decision as misguided and biased. They reiterated the unwavering support of the United States for Israel’s security and emphasized the absence of equivalence between Israel and Hamas.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high in the region as the conflict between Israel and Hamas persists. The IDF has reported rocket attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon, resulting in injuries to an Israeli soldier and retaliatory strikes on Hezbollah positions.
In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams defended the police department’s response to anti-Israel protests, describing incidents of police force as isolated and necessary to maintain public order.
Amidst the diplomatic flurry, Israeli officials are engaged in a diplomatic blitz to rally international support against the ICC’s decision. The outcome of these efforts remains uncertain as Israel grapples with escalating tensions on multiple fronts.
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