China calls for ICC objectivity after Netanyahu arrest warrant

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
22 Nov 2024 11:16

China says it supports any international efforts on the Palestinian issue that aim to achieve fairness and justice and uphold the authority of international law.

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A view of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 26, 2024 (AP)

China urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday to maintain an objective and fair stance after it issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"China hopes the ICC will uphold an objective and just position (and) exercise its powers in accordance with the law," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a regular press conference in response to questions about the warrant for Netanyahu.

The ICC issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of "crimes against humanity and war crimes" committed between October 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024. The court stated there were "reasonable grounds" to believe the two men were "criminally responsible" for using starvation as a warfare tactic and intentionally targeting civilians.

Netanyahu condemned the move as "anti-Semitic," labeling the court's accusations as "absurd and false."

China, which, like "Israel" and the United States, is not a member of the ICC, expressed support for any international efforts on the Palestinian issue that aim to achieve fairness, justice, and uphold the authority of international law.

Lin also accused the United States of "double standards" after questions arose about its opposition to the ICC's pursuit of Netanyahu while supporting a warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"China consistently opposes certain countries using international law only when it suits them... and engaging in double standards," Lin said.

US President Joe Biden has condemned the warrants against Israeli leaders, calling them "outrageous."

US falls in line to defend Netanyahu

Netanyahu has previously dismissed the ICC prosecutor’s request in May for arrest warrants, describing it as "absurd and false" and a "distortion of reality."

It is noteworthy that in June, the US House of Representatives passed a bill that would if enacted, revoke US visas for ICC officials, restrict their entry into the United States, and impose financial penalties on any ICC personnel involved in efforts to prosecute or detain US allies.

At the time, incumbent US President Joe Biden voiced strong opposition to the legislation, which passed with a 247-155 majority, including the support of 42 Democrats.

Senator John Thune, who is poised to become the Senate majority leader, said on Sunday that the United States must enact legislation imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it proceeds with issuing arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or other Israeli officials.

“If the ICC and its prosecutor do not reverse their outrageous and unlawful actions to pursue arrest warrants against Israeli officials, the Senate should immediately pass sanctions legislation, as the House has already done on a bipartisan basis,” he posted on X.