US goes ballistic over ICC warrants, vows wrath on states aiding court
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US Republicans have reacted fiercely to the ICC's issuance of arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, threatening serious repercussions for countries that support enforcing the warrants.
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President Joe Biden, right, shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, the United States, on July 25, 2024. (AP)
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.
— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) November 21, 2024
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
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.
ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued on Thursday arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant on charges of "crimes against humanity and war crimes."
This marked a significant escalation in legal actions concerning the war on Gaza, obliging the ICC’s 124 member states to detain Netanyahu and Gallant should they enter their territory.
The court announced its unanimous rejection of "Israel's" appeal challenging the ICC’s jurisdiction.
The ICC stated that there are "reasonable grounds" to believe Netanyahu and Gallant “bear criminal responsibility for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare."
It also indicated that they "intentionally and knowingly deprived" Gaza’s civilian population of essential resources, including food, water, medical supplies, and fuel.
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
