The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday that whatever decision the International Criminal Court, which is investigating the October 7 attacks by Hamas and Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, makes it will not affect Israel’s actions, but it could set “a dangerous precedent.”

“Under my leadership, Israel will never accept any effort of the Hague Convention to undermine the fundamental right to self-defense,” he said in a statement on the Telegram app. “Although the decisions made by the Hague tribunal will not affect Israel’s actions, they will set a dangerous precedent that threatens soldiers and public figures,” he added.

One of Israel’s leading television channels, Channel 12, reported last week that the government is concerned about the possibility of the ICC issuing arrest warrants against Netanyahu and other officials, for alleged violations of international law in the Gaza Strip. According to the channel, the prime minister’s office “held an emergency meeting” on this matter. A government spokesman did not immediately respond to questions about this report.

Israel is not a member of the ICC and does not recognize its jurisdiction. The Palestinian Territories became a member of the ICC in 2015. Prosecutor Karim Khan said in October that the Court has jurisdiction over potential war crimes committed by Hamas militants in Israel or Israelis in the Gaza Strip. His team is currently investigating possible crimes in Gaza and, he said, those found to be breaking the law will be held accountable.

The ICC has 124 permanent members and can prosecute to persons for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and aggression. The case he is investigating is separate from the genocide charge being heard by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), also based in The Hague. The ICC is a United Nations court that deals with disputes between states while the ICC is a criminal court, established by treaty, that focuses on individual responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.