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A mix of relief, euphoria, outrage, and dismay marked the International Criminal Court's decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant. Israel and its allies condemned the warrants.
The court also issued a warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, who may have died in the Gaza war, according to reports. The ICC accused all three of war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian group on Israel and the retaliatory devastating Israeli military campaign in Gaza.
The ruling is the culmination of a process that started when ICC prosecutor Karim Khan announced on May 20 that he was seeking arrest warrants for the three accused. The ICC said it found “reasonable grounds” to allege that Israel’s siege of Gaza created conditions “calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population.”
Mixed reaction globally
South Africa, which has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza at the ICC, welcomed the decision. “These actions mark a significant step towards justice for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Palestine,” it said in a statement.
The Palestinian Authority hailed the decision, describing it as a beacon of hope for justice, although it avoided mentioning the warrant issued for Hamas’s military leader. Hamas itself called the ICC’s move symbolic but a “first step showing international commitment to justice".
Francesca Albanese, the UN’s special rapporteur on Palestine and one of the most vocal critics of Israel's war in Gaza, called the ICC’s issuing of arrest warrants a “rare moment of euphoria”.
“I want to acknowledge the innumerable victims of too many wars on Gaza, and the indomitable work of Palestinian [human rights organisations] without whom the hope brought about by the ICC decision today, would have not come,” she wrote on X.
In contrast, the US condemned the ICC’s actions. President Joe Biden called the warrants “outrageous” and reaffirmed Washington’s unwavering support for Israel. “Let me be clear once again,” Mr Biden said in a statement, “there is no equivalence – none – between Israel and Hamas.”
A White House representative said the US “fundamentally rejects the Court’s decision” to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials.
“We remain deeply concerned by the Prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision,” the representative said, adding the US was discussing next steps with its partners.
Bernie Sanders, independent US senator, said he supported the ICC decision and added that all three accused “launched indiscriminate attacks against civilians and caused unimaginable human suffering”.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu dismissed the charges in a video posted on social media, calling the decision “antisemitic” and an attack on Israel’s right to defend itself. “This is a dark day in the history of humanity. The ICC, which was invented to protect humanity, has today become the enemy of humanity,” he said.
“The attempt to deny Israel its right to achieve its goals in its just war will fail,” Mr Gallant said, criticising the court.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated Canada’s adherence to international law, stating it would comply with any ICC obligations should Mr Netanyahu or Mr Gallant travel to the country.
EU leaders offered mixed responses, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasising the need to respect the court’s independence.
The Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Italy, and Spain all said they would meet their commitments and obligations regarding the Rome Statute and International Law. Austria made the same pledge, although its Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg added that the warrant was absurd.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, on Friday said he would invite Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu to visit and defy an ICC arrest warrant.
"Later today, I will invite the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, to visit Hungary, where I will guarantee him, if he comes, that the judgment of the International Criminal Court will have no effect in Hungary, and that we will not follow its terms", Orban told state radio.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the ICC arrest warrant as “hopeful” and said that it marked an extremely important step in bringing to justice Israeli authorities who “committed genocide” against Palestinians.
China on Friday hoped the ICC will uphold an "objective and just position [and] exercise its powers in accordance with the law," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular press conference in response to a question about the court's warrant for Mr Netanyahu.
Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the ICC rulings should be respected and implemented, adding that “Palestinians deserve justice”.
All 124 member states of the ICC are obliged by the court's founding statute to arrest the accused.
The Iraqi government praised the ICC's decision calling it a “courageous and just stance” and one that reaffirms that “justice and truth” will prevail.
Human Rights Watch labelled the ICC’s decision a breakthrough that challenges the perception that powerful leaders are above the law, urging the global community to support the court’s efforts.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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