Mokheiber warns US officials of legal consequences for ICC threats

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen
23 Nov 2024 01:45

Former UN official Craig Mokheiber warned US officials about the legal repercussions of their threats against the International Criminal Court following its decision on Israeli occupation leaders, warning of potential prison sentences and global isolation.

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Craig Mokhiber, Deputy Director of the New York Office of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, addresses a panel discussion focusing on race, poverty, and power, organized by his Office, October 12, 2009. (UN)

Craig Mokheiber, a former official at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, warned the US administration and Congress about the consequences of their hostile reaction and threats against the International Criminal Court (ICC) following its decision regarding Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Security Minister Yoav Gallant.

The former director of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights New York office stated, "Under Art.70 of the Rome Statute of the ICC, you can be prosecuted for 'impeding, intimidating or corruptly influencing an official of the Court' and for 'retaliating against an official of the Court on account of duties performed by that or another official'."

A warning to the US administration and Congress: Under Art.70 of the Rome Statute of the ICC, you can be prosecuted for “impeding, intimidating or corruptly influencing an official of the Court” and for “retaliating against an official of the Court on account of duties performed…
— Craig Mokhiber (@CraigMokhiber) November 22, 2024

Mokheiber's remarks followed warnings from members of both the Democratic and Republican parties in Congress to the ICC, stating that any arrest warrants issued against senior Israeli occupation officials would be met with American retaliation.

Mokheiber made it clear to the US officials threatening the Court that "If convicted, you can face five years in prison. In addition, your lawlessness will result in even further isolation of the US on the world stage."

The UN official also added, "Both the global South and 124 ICC state parties will be compelled to oppose you. And decent people everywhere will resist your criminal conduct."

US goes ballistic over ICC warrants, vows wrath on states aiding court

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.”

Waltz promised a firm response in January, labeling the ICC's move as "anti-Semitic".

Senator Lindsey Graham vowed to introduce legislation targeting countries cooperating with the ICC’s decision. "If we do not act forcefully against the ICC after their outrageous decision […] we are making a huge mistake," Graham said, warning that the US could be the next target of the Court’s actions.

“Israel is not a member of the ICC nor is the United States. If we do not fight back, it is as if we are conceding that they have jurisdiction over the United States.”

Graham stated he would propose legislation to impose consequences on nations that “aid and abet” the ICC in enforcing the arrest warrants, calling such actions "reckless" and a "threat to the rule of law."

Jim Risch, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, described the arrest warrants as a “complete disgrace". He stated that "Israel" is not under the jurisdiction of the ICC, adding, “The US must impose sanctions on this corrupt organization.”

Senator Tim Scott, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, accused the ICC of functioning as an “anti-Israel propaganda machine” and siding with US adversaries.

“The Court’s illegitimate targeting of Israel for defending its people from terror should not be tolerated and should be met with immediate and severe sanctions,” Scott said in a statement.

Since the ICC Prosecutor Office's demands for arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were made on May 20, the US has done everything in its power to undermine the ICC, going as far as proposing sanctions on the court.

This comes as the Israeli occupation continues its war of genocide against the Gaza Strip, now ongoing for the 412th day, killing so far around 43,985 people and injuring 104,092 others with thousands of others reportedly missing, presumed dead under the rubble.