France, Belgium announce support for ICC measure
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Paris and Brussels say that the crimes committed in Gaza must be prosecuted without impunity.
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The International Criminal Court in The Hague, the Netherlands, on March 31, 2021. (AFP)
France and Belgium announced on Tuesday their support for the International Criminal Court's (ICC) application for the issuance of arrest warrants against top Israeli officials and Resistance leaders.
The Chief Prosecutor of the ICC, Karim Khan, stated on Monday that his office is filing applications for arrest warrants before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Security Minister Yoav Gallant, making it the first action of its kind taken against any major US partner.
Read more: Day 227 in Gaza: 35,562 killed, 79,652 injured by 'Israel'
Khan said that Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility for a list of "war crimes and crimes against humanity" in Gaza, including "extermination and/or murder, starving civilians, willful killing, willfully causing great suffering, or serious injury," and deliberate direct attacks against civilian populations in the Strip.
His decision sparked outrage in the occupation entity and the United States, both threatening to take retaliatory measures against the court, including imposing sanctions.
"France supports the International Criminal Court, its independence, and the fight against impunity in all situations," the country's Foreign Ministry said in a statement late Monday.
Belgium's Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib posted on X, "Crimes committed in Gaza must be prosecuted at the highest level, regardless of the perpetrators," with a statement attached.
Read more: Possible ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu: US hypocrisy, explained
Crimes committed in Gaza must be prosecuted at the highest level, regardless of the perpetrators.
— Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) May 20, 2024
Statement 🇧🇪⬇️ https://t.co/xdU5We7gx0 pic.twitter.com/I3SBRSbOkW
'Antisemitic decision'
Netanyahu described on Monday the ICC's measure as "antisemitic" and confirmed that it will not constrain "Israel" in its war on Gaza, which is nearing eight months, labeling Khan one of the "great antisemites in modern times."
Khan had previously received a threat from 12 Republican senators, who said he could be hit with "severe sanctions" if he issues international arrest warrants for Israeli officials.
In a report earlier this month, Axios revealed that House Republicans are drafting a bill aimed at imposing sanctions on ICC officials as a "precaution" in response to any arrest warrants against Israeli officials over war crimes in Gaza.
Read more: Congress threatens US retaliation if ICC issues Israeli arrests: Axios
President Joe Biden voiced his condemnation on Monday of the court's measure, describing the warrants as "outrageous".
"Let me be clear, we reject the ICC’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders," Biden said at a Jewish American Heritage Month event at the White House on Monday.
"Contrary to allegations against Israel made by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), what’s happening in Gaza is not genocide. We reject that," Biden said in his speech.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed Biden's stance, saying the United States "fundamentally rejects" the move.
