Netanyahu calls CNN, ICC allegations ‘beyond reprehensible’

(CNN) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the charges brought against him and his defense minister at the International Criminal Court as “beyond outrageous” in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on Tuesday.

The Israeli leader’s comments come after the ICC’s chief prosecutor announced on Monday that he was seeking arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant and senior Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes.

ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan said on Monday that the charges against Netanyahu and Gallant include “inciting destruction, inciting famine as a means of war, denying humanitarian aid supplies and deliberately targeting civilians in the conflict.”

Netanyahu told CNN’s Jake Tapper that Khan is “a dishonest prosecutor who has made false allegations, which are both dangerous and false.”

By demanding arrest warrants against Israeli and Hamas leaders in the same action, Khan received a sharp reaction from Israel and harsh criticism from close ally the United States. However, human rights groups have praised the decision.

A panel of ICC judges will now consider Khan’s request for an arrest warrant. Neither Israel nor the United States are members of the ICC.