Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has threatened to penalize US allies if they pursue International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Security Minister Yoav Gallant.

As the death toll in Gaza and Lebanon continues to mount, the ICC issued on Thursday arrest warrants for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and former Security Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of "crimes against humanity and war crimes," compelling the ICC's 124 member states to detain Netanyahu and Gallant should they enter their territory.

Graham sent a direct message to allies, "Canada, Britain, Germany, France," in an interview with Fox News on Friday, "If you try to help the ICC, we're going to sanction you."

"If you are going to help the ICC as a nation and force the arrest warrant against Bibi and Gallant, the former defense minister, I will put sanctions on you as a nation," the Senator said. 

He brazenly revealed US intentions to shield the Israeli ministers from any retribution, telling nations they will have to "pick the rogue ICC versus America."

Although the ICC's pursuit of Vladimir Putin has received backing from the Biden administration and several Republican senators, Graham himself supported the court's activities at the time as a critical, evidence-based step toward international justice "that will stand the test of history."

In a brazen double standard, Graham has now described the court as "a dangerous joke," and "irresponsible" for issuing a warrant for Netanyahu, calling for the US to sanction the body.

US goes ballistic over ICC warrants

US lawmakers and officials strongly criticized the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrants issued on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Security Minister Yoav Gallant, according to Anadolu Agency. 

Outgoing US President Joe Biden labeled the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Security Minister Yoav Gallant as "outrageous". 

In a statement, Biden said "The ICC issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous," adding "Let me be clear once again: whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence -- none -- between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security."

US President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, expressed his criticism on X, saying, “The ICC has no credibility, and these allegations have been refuted by the US government,” adding, “Israel has lawfully defended its people & borders from genocidal terrorists. You can expect a strong response to the anti-Semitic bias of the ICC & UN come January.”

The ICC has no credibility and these allegations have been refuted by the U.S. government.

Israel has lawfully defended its people & borders from genocidal terrorists. You can expect a strong response to the antisemitic bias of the ICC & UN come January. https://t.co/jIalwzooeS

— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) November 21, 2024