‘Netanyahu Gains Support’: Israelis Unite Amidst I.C.C. Warrant

As an I.C.C. arrest warrant looms over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his actions in Gaza, it ignites strong responses from across Israel's political landscape. Yet, over time, such an image could tarnish a sitting prime minister.

From our correspondents in Jerusalem

The more international isolation Prime Minister Netanyahu encounters, the more support he seems to garner domestically among Israelis.

The issuance of arrest warrants for Mr. Netanyahu and ex-defense minister Yoav Gallant on serious charges of war crimes related to Gaza has set off a storm of outrage across Israel's political spectrum.

Sima Kadmon, a well-known political commentator and critic of Netanyahu, expressed sentiments in Yediot Ahronot, likening the accusations to being aligned with notorious leaders like Muammar el-Qaddafi and Slobodan Milosevic. However, she recognized that to many, such claims may seem like prejudice or even antisemitism.

Domestic Unity Amid International Condemnation

Despite internal divisions, observers note that the broad spectrum of Israeli society is likely to rally in defense of Mr. Netanyahu's dismissal of the court's ruling, labeling it as overtly prejudiced against Israel.

According to Mitchell Barak, a pollster with past ties to Netanyahu, this situation reinforces Netanyahu's self-image as the solitary defender against global injustice.

Barak suggested that such circumstances bolster his standing as he portrays himself as the defender of Israel’s national interests, with the public largely supportive of the military actions.