Israel’s leadership has been preparing itself for some time for International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda's decision to open an investigation over alleged war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank. Still, Bensouda’s announcement sent shock waves through Israel and abroad, generating livid reactions from Israeli lawmakers across almost the entire political map.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set the tone, tweeting a video where he said, "The decision of the international court to open an investigation against Israel today for war crimes is absurd. It's undiluted antisemitism and the height of hypocrisy. Without any jurisdiction, it decided that our brave soldiers, who take every precaution to avoid civilian casualties against the worst terrorists in the world who deliberately target civilians, it's our soldiers who are war criminals. … This court, that was established to prevent the repetition of the Nazi horrific crimes committed against the Jewish people, is now turning its guns against the one and only state of the Jewish people,’’ said Netanyahu.

Benny Gantz, who serves both as defense minister and justice minister, said the decision was a "reward for terrorism.’’ His Blue and White party colleague Gabi Ashkenazi, who is Israel's foreign minister, tweeted that the decision was "an act of moral and legal bankruptcy. It is a political decision that turns the court into a tool in the hands of extremists who back terrorist organizations and antisemitic bodies.’’ Both Ashkenazi and Gantz served as chiefs of staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Opposition leader Yair Lapid of the Yesh Atid party adopted a tone not unlike Netanyahu’s, calling the decision an “anti-Semitic disgrace” that would “deepen the conflict and encourage Palestinian intransigence.” He also said that he is proud of Israel’s army and that Israel would never allow any international court to judge its soldiers.