US officials labeled the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister as “dangerous.”
US officials labeled the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister as a “dangerous” act that invalidates the Jewish state’s right to defend itself.
The White House rejected Thursday’s decision against Netanyahu and former defense chief Yoav Gallant Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) promises to impose sanctions against the ICC next year.
“The ICC’s arrest warrant against Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant is outrageous, unlawful and dangerous,” Thune said.
The Hague has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and his former defense chief Yoav Gallant. REUTERS
“Israel has the right to defend itself, and the ICC’s rogue states only enable the terrorists who want to wipe Israel off the map,” he added.
Fellow Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a close ally of President-elect Donald Trumpreiterated Thune’s criticism and warning to The Hague.
“The Court is a dangerous joke. Now is the time for the U.S. Senate to act and punish this irresponsible body,” Graham said.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) also described the decision as “shameful” and vowed that Democrats would also stand with Israel.
International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan accused Israeli and Hamas leaders of war crimes over the conflict in Gaza. REUTERS
The ICC is recognized by 124 countries, including the US, which rejected the ruling. ANP/AFP via Getty Images
“I stand with the Biden administration and fundamentally reject this unserious decision. America’s commitment to Israel’s security is rock-solid and we will continue to uphold Israel’s right to defend itself from terror,” Jeffries said.
Mike Pompeo Trump’s former Secretary of StateIt said the ICC decision ultimately “rewards” Hamas, calling the arrest warrants a clear act of anti-Semitism.
“Disgraceful and disgraceful that the ICC is issuing arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu,” Pompeo wrote about X.
“This is not justice.”
The White House National Security Council said America does not recognize The Hague’s decision and blasted ICC prosecutor Karim Khan for pushing ahead with the arrest warrants despite strong U.S. opposition earlier this year.
The new Senate majority leader, John Thune, vowed to impose sanctions on the ICC over the arrest warrants. Michael Brochstein/ZUMA Press Wire / SplashNews.com
“We remain deeply concerned by the prosecutor’s haste to seek arrest warrants and the troubling procedural errors that led to this decision,” a council spokesperson said.
Stephanie Hallett, deputy chief of the US mission at the US Embassy in Israel, added that the ICC has no jurisdiction in the case, and agrees with Israel’s argument as the Jewish state is not a member of the court.
Hallett also criticized Khan’s alleged reluctance to travel to Israel and meet officials during the ICC’s investigation into the alleged war crimes committed by Netanyahu and Gallant.
The tribunal accuses Israeli leaders of “crimes against humanity and war crimes” during Israel’s war campaign in Gaza since October 8, which has killed more than 44,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-led Health Ministry.
The warrants threaten to further isolate Israel as the war in Gaza has now spread to Lebanon. Fadal Itani/UPI/Shutterstock
The court also requested an arrest warrant for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif. the last remaining top official who helped plan and direct the October 7 massacre, which left 1,200 dead in Israel, while 251 others were kidnapped.
Along with the US, officials in Argentina and Hungary have rejected the ICC’s decision and rejected suggestions that Israel’s actions are equivalent to those of Hamas.
The Netherlands, where The Hague is located, has vowed to enforce the order and arrest Netanyahu and Gallant if they ever set foot on Dutch soil.
Britain, Italy and France all said they also support the ICC, but noted they will meet with other European leaders to discuss what to do about the arrest warrants.
Josep Borrell, head of European Foreign Policy, said the court’s ruling was a legal issue and not a political one. He said member states must respect and enforce the arrest warrants.
Given that Israel is not a member of the ICC, Netanyahu and Gallant are not afraid of being arrested at home, but the arrest warrants risk further isolating the Jewish state as the war in Gaza and Lebanon continues.
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