Israel has strongly criticised a statement from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, reported by Fox News, in which he suggested that Germany would arrest and deport Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if the International Criminal Court issues a warrant for his arrest.

“I am old enough to remember the German leader coming here days after October 7, and stating that Hamas are the new Nazis. They seek genocide against the Jews. Many in the world need to check their moral compass and be on the right side of history,” Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Avi Hyman tells Fox.

When questioned yesterday about whether Berlin would carry out a potential ICC arrest order, German spokesman Steffen Hebestreit responded, "Of course. Yes, we abide by the law," as reported.

Israel’s ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, also decried the statement yesterday in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

“This is outrageous!” he posted. “The public statement that Israel has the right to self-defense loses credibility if our hands are tied as soon as we defend ourselves.”

Prosor added that Germany’s “Staatsräson,” a term that refers to ensuring Israel’s security as one of the European country’s “reason of state,” was “being put to the test.”

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan “equates a democratic government with Hamas, thereby demonising and delegitimising Israel and the Jewish people. He has completely lost his moral compass. Germany has a responsibility to readjust this compass,” Prosor added.

Earlier this week, International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan announced his intention to seek arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, along with three leaders of Hamas for charges including "causing extermination, causing starvation as a method of war including the denial of humanitarian relief supplies, deliberately targeting civilians in conflict."

Israel has strongly rejected the charges, denouncing the court for implicitly comparing Israeli leaders to Hamas terrorists.

Image source: The Times of Israel