President Isaac Herzog has called on the international community to lift what he described as 'illegitimate sanctions' imposed by the International Criminal Court against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Herzog argued that these measures prevent senior Israeli officials from participating in important global discussions and serve as a 'reward for terror.'

Herzog raised the issue in a meeting with United Nations General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock, emphasizing that Israel's leaders should not be excluded from international forums. He criticized the use of legal actions to bar Israeli officials from events shaping the future of the Middle East, urging European nations and the wider international community to end the sanctions swiftly.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant in November 2024, following allegations related to the October 7 attack and the Gaza war. The warrants have led to varying responses from European countries, with some pledging enforcement and others refusing to comply.