Israel has been at war in Gaza since October 7 last year, when Hamas militants killed around 1,200 Israelis and took another 250 hostages. At least 35,000 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in Palestinian-held territory, according to figures from the Hamas-led Gaza Health Ministry, which publishes separate numbers of combatant and civilian casualties.
The death toll has sparked international concern, with South Africa accusing Israel of genocide in a case pending at the International Court of Justice, also based in The Hague.
Netanyahu’s former campaign strategist Nadav Strauchler told Politico that Khan’s comments will only help his former boss by forcing opposition politicians and critics to rally behind him. He warned that most Israelis would see Mr. Khan as targeting Israel, not just Mr. Netanyahu. “People don’t think this is just about Prime Minister Netanyahu. It’s about the country and its defense,” he said.
Strauchler said the Israeli public’s reaction to Khan’s announcement was influenced by the support of US President Joe Biden and other US Democrats, such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, for a two-state Palestinian state. He predicted that it would reflect the Israeli public’s reaction to efforts to persuade the Israeli leadership to work on a solution.
“The Democratic Party and the government tried to push Prime Minister Netanyahu in a certain direction, but the result was exactly the opposite,” he said. While the ICC prosecutor may not have had politics in mind, “the result will be exactly the same: it will strengthen Bibi’s position.”
Relatives of some Israelis still being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip are actively participating in the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, which has been increasingly critical of Prime Minister Netanyahu, and has expressed strong opposition to Hamas leaders. He praised the issuance of the warrant, but objected to the fact that “an equal relationship has been established between the two parties.” The Israeli leadership and Hamas terrorists. ”
Ehud Olmert, a former Israeli prime minister and fierce critic of Netanyahu, told Politico: “Associating Mr. Bibi with Mr. Sinwar is extremely unacceptable to Israelis.” That, he explained, would only push the Israeli people into further straits.
“It is unacceptable for Israelis to associate a murderer, a murderer, a man who sent his men to slaughter innocent Israelis, with the Israeli prime minister who is responsible for the counterattack,” Olmert said. Ta. “That favors Prime Minister Netanyahu. Israelis are already saying, ‘Look, they’re all anti-Semites.’ They are all against us. ”
