President Biden said Monday he would dismiss International Criminal Court (ICC) complaints against Israel’s actions during its war with Hamas. The ICC is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli leaders and senior members of the terrorist organization.
Biden met with Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff in the Rose Garden of the White House during Jewish American Heritage Month celebrations, and was joined by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, military commander Mohamed Deif, and Israel’s He mentioned the ICC’s request for an arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has been charged with war crimes in the ongoing conflict.
“We reject the ICC’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders,” Biden said. “Whatever these warrants imply, there is no equivalent relationship between Israel and Hamas, and it is clear that Israel wants to do everything it can to ensure the protection of civilians.”
“But let me be clear,” he added. “Contrary to the allegations made against Israel by the International Court of Justice, what is happening is not genocide. We deny it. We will always stand with Israel and any threats to its security.”
ICC seeks arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hamas leaders for ‘war crimes’
President Biden spoke and Vice President Kamala Harris and Vice President Doug Emhoff listened during a Jewish American Heritage Month event Monday in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Martin)
Israel’s critics accuse its leaders of committing genocide against Palestinians living in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip and of failing to ensure the protection of innocent civilians during military operations. According to Israel, Hamas routinely implants terrorist fighters in civilian areas and uses civilian buildings to carry out attacks.
Democrats split over ICC prosecutor seeking arrest warrant
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Biden. ((Fox News/Getty Images))
The ICC has accused Hamas of a wide range of crimes, including hostage-taking, murder, and crimes of sexual violence. Amal Clooney, the wife of actor George Clooney, who advised ICC prosecutors on the arrest warrant request, said Israel has also committed crimes such as “war, murder, persecution and starvation as a means of extermination.”
Biden’s remarks came after weeks of anti-Israel protests on college campuses across the United States. He also noted that anti-Semitism has increased since the October 7 attack on Israel.
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“On our streets, on social media and on our college campuses,” he said. “It’s amazing that this is happening. It’s absolutely despicable. It’s wrong. And it has to stop.”
