Rights groups ask Filipinos to reject ex-Pres Duterte and detained preacher in upcoming elections
The Nobel prize in chemistry is being awarded in Stockholm
Israel carries out new strikes in Gaza, UN chief says many trapped in north
China stocks get a reality check; Europe shudders
India cenbank holds rates, shifts stance to 'neutral' signalling rate cuts ahead
Trump looks to make inroads into Biden country with Scranton stop
Tatis homers again as the Padres beat the Dodgers 6-5 for a 2-1 NLDS lead
Lynx return to finals with 88-77 win over Sun in Game 5 behind Collier's 27 points, 11 rebounds
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the decision of the ICC prosecutor on Monday to seek arrest warrants against him and his defense minister was absurd and that the move was meant to target all of Israel.
"I reject with disgust the comparison of the prosecutor in the Hague between democratic Israel and the mass murderers of Hamas," Netanyahu said. "With what audacity do you compare Hamas that murdered, burned, butchered, decapitated, raped and kidnapped our brothers and sisters with the IDF soldiers fighting a just war unlike any other."
"This is a complete distortion of reality."
He referred to the ICC prosecutor's move as a new kind of antisemitism.
"Citizens of Israel, I promise you one thing - the attempt to tie our hands will fail," he said. "As prime minister of Israel, I pledge that no pressure and no decision in any international forum will prevent us from striking those who seek to destroy us."
(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Alistair Bell)
