Biden denies genocide allegations against 'Israel' after ICC warrants
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US President Joe Biden stated that despite the ICC prosecutor’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli occupation leaders, "Israel" is not committing genocide in Gaza.
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President Joe Biden speaks at a dinner for the Detroit chapter of the NAACP, on Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Detroit. (AP)
US President Joe Biden said during a press conference that despite the ICC prosecutor’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli occupation leaders, "Israel" is not committing genocide in Gaza.
"Israel must do all it can to ensure civilian protection, but let me be clear, contrary to allegations against Israel made by the International Criminal Court of Justice, what's happening is not genocide, we reject that," Biden said on Monday.
Earlier, Biden had criticized the International Criminal Court's move to seek arrest warrants for Israeli occupation officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling it "outrageous".
Biden cited an alleged absence of equivalence between "Israel" and Hamas as he affirmed unwavering support for "Israel's" security.
"And let me be clear: whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence – none – between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security," Biden said in a statement.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed similar sentiments by questioning the court's jurisdiction and its process in applying for the warrants.
"Fundamentally, this decision does nothing to help, and could jeopardize, ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement that would get hostages out and surge humanitarian assistance in," Blinken said.
Trump foreign policy aids meet Netanyahu amid ICC warrant: Reuters
Three former US foreign policy officials from Donald Trump's administration met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other prominent figures in Tel Aviv on Monday, sources told Reuters.
The delegation reportedly included Robert O'Brien, Trump's final national security advisor, Former Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates John Rakolta, and Former Ambassador to Switzerland Ed McMullen.
The group also met with Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid and several other Israeli officials, the sources said.
The primary goal of the trip was to gain a better understanding of "Israel's" domestic political situation.
This comes as the International Criminal Court's prosecutor recently announced requests for arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his security chief for war crimes in Gaza.
It remains unclear if the meeting with Netanyahu occurred before or after this announcement.
The specifics of the discussions between the Trump allies and Israeli officials were not disclosed.
The source noted that the delegation was not acting on Trump's request and had no message to convey to Israeli officials, although they serve as informal advisors to Trump and will likely brief him on the meetings.
Trump has occasionally criticized "Israel's" operations in Gaza and faulted Netanyahu for not preventing the October 7 operation.
Nevertheless, Trump, who is running for president, positions himself as a more steadfast ally of "Israel" compared to President Joe Biden, his opponent in the upcoming election.
During Trump's presidency from 2017 to 2021, the US moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied al-Quds, a significant and controversial action that pleased Israelis.
Read more: Possible ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu: US hypocrisy, explained
