site.btaSofia Says ICC Arrests Warrants for Israel’s PM and ex-Defence Minister, and Hamas Military Commander Fail to Distinguish between Hamas' Responsibility for Oct. 7 Attack and Israel's Response

The Foreign Ministry in Sofia issued a position Friday in which it says that the arrest warrants that the International Criminal Court (ICC) have issued for Israel’s Prime Minister and former Defence Minister, as well as for the military commander of Hamas, fail to distinguish between Hamas' responsibility for the October 7, 2023 attack in Israel and Israel's actions in self-defence. "Without commenting on the merits of the acts issued by the international court, we want to point out that the arrest warrants do not distinguish the responsibility for the unprecedented terrorist attack by Hamas against the State of Israel on October 7, and the legitimate actions for self-defence by Israel in response to the attack," the position says.

"Bulgaria supports the independence, integrity and objectivity of the International Criminal Court in its responsible position to prosecute the gravest crimes under international law, and has been consistently opposed to attempts at its use for political purposes," the position says.

It adds that "the only possible decision for establishing lasting and sustainable peace in the Middle East is by opening up a political horizon for the peace process and such arrest warrants are not conducive to that". "Bulgaria will continue to support the efforts towards a cease-fire and releasing the hostages".