Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) departed from the views of some Democratic colleagues and on Monday took advantage of International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan’s move to seek an arrest warrant. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Job Gallant and Hamas leaders accused of committing “war crimes” during the Gaza conflict.
“The ICC prosecutor is right,” Sanders said in a statement on the X program Monday afternoon. “These arrest warrants may or may not be executed, but it is imperative that the international community upholds international law. Without these standards of decency and morality, this planet could rapidly descend into anarchy, We may end up in endless wars and barbarism.”
Sanders’ comments came hours after Democratic lawmakers were sharply divided over the ICC petition.
Netanyahu rival threatens to quit war cabinet over Gaza strategy
Sen. Bernie Sanders agreed with the ICC prosecutor’s opinion on Monday afternoon. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Sanders also said the ICC has been involved in multiple cases in the past few years that have violated human rights law and international war policy, including Russian President Vladimir Putin for his invasion of Ukraine and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar for the October 7 terrorist attack. He said he had issued arrest warrants for political leaders. Israel.
That list now includes Prime Minister Netanyahu, who “in response waged an unprecedented war of destruction against the entire Palestinian people, killing and wounding more than 5 percent of the population.”
ICC seeks arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hamas leaders for ‘war crimes’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently on the ICC’s warrant list. (Ronen Zvulun/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
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Khan said in a statement Monday that, based on evidence his office has collected and examined, he believes Prime Minister Netanyahu and Gallant “bear criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on Iranian territory.” He said there was a “reasonable basis.” Palestine. ”
He said these alleged crimes include “starvation of civilians as a means of war” and “deliberate attacks against civilians.”
Netanyahu’s arrest warrant called ‘gift to terrorists’ as pro-Israel lawmakers vow revenge
Israeli soldiers gather in southern Israel before entering Gaza on May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Meanwhile, House Republicans called the ICC’s arrest warrant request a “gift to terrorists around the world.”
“The ICC’s decision to label Israel and Hamas as war criminals is a gift to terrorists around the world and a slap in the face to the only independent democracy in the Middle East,” said House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn. he said. the No. 3 Republican in the House of Representatives told Fox News Digital. “There is no comparison between the intentional killing, rape, and torture of thousands of innocent civilians and those who are legitimately defending themselves against it.”
“In the absence of leadership from the White House, Congress must punish the ICC and ensure that the ICC leadership faces consequences if it moves forward,” Chairman Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) said in a statement. We are considering all options, including sanctions, to ensure that this is done.” The ICC is allowed to intimidate Israeli leaders, and we may be the next to be intimidated. ”
Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman and Liz Elkind contributed to this report.
