US officials have denounced the International Criminal Court's decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister as a “dangerous” move that nullifies the Jewish state's right to self-defense.
The White House rejected Thursday's decision against Netanyahu and former Defense Secretary Yoav Gallant, and incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) vowed to impose sanctions on the ICC next year.
“The ICC's arrest warrants against Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant are outrageous, illegal and dangerous,” Thun said.
“Israel has the right to defend itself, and ICC misconduct will only enable terrorists to wipe Israel off the map,” he added.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, echoed Thune's criticism and warning to Hague.
“The courts are a dangerous joke. It's time for the United States Senate to act and sanction this irresponsible organization,” Graham said.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) also condemned the decision as “shameful” and vowed that Democrats too would stand with Israel.
“I support the Biden administration and fundamentally reject this unconscionable decision. The United States' commitment to Israel's security is steadfast, and we continue to support Israel's right to protect itself from terrorism.” “We will continue to do so,” Jeffries said.
Trump's former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, said the ICC's decision would ultimately “reward” Hamas and called the arrest warrant a clear act of anti-Semitism.
“It is outrageous and shameful that the ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu.” Mr. Pompeo wrote about X..
“This is not justice.”
The White House National Security Council said the United States does not recognize the Hague decision and criticized ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, who earlier this year pressed ahead with the arrest warrant despite strong U.S. objections.
A council spokesperson said: “We remain deeply concerned by the rush by prosecutors to seek an arrest warrant and the troubling procedural errors that led to this decision.”
Stephanie Hallett, deputy U.S. charge d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Israel, added that she agreed with Israel's argument that the ICC has no jurisdiction in the case, as the Jewish state is not a member of the court.
Hallett also criticized Khan's alleged reluctance to travel to Israel and meet with officials during the ICC investigation into alleged war crimes by Netanyahu and Gallant.
The tribunal has accused Israeli leaders of “crimes against humanity and war crimes” that have killed more than 44,000 Palestinians during Israel's war operations in Gaza since October 8, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. is accusing.
The court also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohamed Deif, the last remaining top official who helped plan and orchestrate the October 7 massacre that killed 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 others in Israel. I also charged.
Along with the United States, Argentine and Hungarian officials also rejected the ICC's decision and condemned the suggestion that Israel's actions were equivalent to those of Hamas.
The Netherlands, where The Hague is based, has vowed to comply with the warrant and arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant if they set foot on Dutch soil.
Britain, Italy and France also said they supported the ICC, but said they would meet with other European leaders to discuss what to do about the warrant.
European foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the court's decision was a legal, not political, issue and that member states should respect and abide by the arrest warrant.
Given that Israel is not a member of the ICC, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister Gallant do not have to worry about being arrested domestically, but the warrant risks further isolating the Jewish state as wars in Gaza and Lebanon intensify. be.
