Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on the International Criminal Court following reports that prosecutors are seeking a sealed arrest warrant against him, calling the move a “declaration of war” and vowing a forceful response.
“Last night I was informed that the prosecutor of the antisemitic court in The Hague filed a request for a secret international arrest warrant against me,” Smotrich said, opening his remarks.
He said the reported request follows what he described as “unprecedented” warrants issued against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
“The clumsy attempt to force on us a policy of security suicide through sanctions and arrest warrants will not succeed,” he said.
AFSI Insight
The International Criminal Court is overstepping its mandate and ignoring the security context of ongoing terrorism and the aftermath of the October 7 attacks. The ICC’s involvement in Israel’s security and defense affairs is nothing more than biased lawfare that undermines Israel’s sovereignty and escalates diplomatic tensions.
Source:
Smotrich Slams ICC Arrest Warrant as ‘Declaration of War’, by United with Israel Staff, May 19, 2026