US Senator Graham threaten to sanction ICC over arrest warrant

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 May 2024 20:22

Lindsey Graham mentioned that the US is not a member of the ICC and that he and other US lawmakers reportedly received reassurances from the court that it would conduct discussions with "Israel" prior to issuing any decisions.

Listen

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., left, joined by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and other Senate Republicans, criticizes President Joe Biden for his warning to "Israel" that the US will pause more offensive military assistance if it goes through with an all-out assault on Rafah, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

In a fervent response to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Security Minister Yoav Gallant, and other officials, US lawmakers are mobilizing to impose sanctions on the ICC.

Senator Lindsey Graham, a senior Republican figure known for his strong stance on international affairs, pledged to lead the charge in Congress.

"I will feverishly work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle in both chambers to levy damning sanctions against the ICC," Graham said.

Earlier today, the ICC's Prosecutor Karim Khan announced the filing of requests for arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, as well as Palestinian resistance leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Masri, and Ismail Haniyeh. The move triggered a wave of condemnation from US officials, with Graham labeling the decision as "outrageous" and a direct affront to "Israel's" judiciary.

Importantly, Graham mentioned that the US is not a member of the ICC and that he and other US lawmakers reportedly received reassurances from the court that it would conduct discussions with "Israel" prior to issuing any decisions.

"Instead of the ICC following through with scheduled consultations with Israel, they announced the warrants. I feel that I was lied to and that my colleagues were lied to," Graham said.

The growing discontent among US lawmakers culminated in a letter sent by twelve senators to Prosecutor Khan earlier in May, warning of severe sanctions should the court proceed with arrest warrants against Israeli officials over their actions in the Gaza Strip.

Senator Graham did not participate in this correspondence.

It is important to recall that during an interview for NBC News on May 12, Graham considered that for "Israel" to win its "existential" war in Gaza, it needs to do whatever it takes.

"When we were faced with destruction as a nation after Pearl Harbor, fighting the Germans and the Japanese, we decided to end the war by bombing Hiroshima, Nagasaki, with nuclear weapons," he said.

"So, Israel, do whatever you have to do to survive as a Jewish state. Whatever you have to do."

Graham also claimed that the Palestinian Resistance is to blame for the mass civilian losses – which have now exceeded 35,000 martyrs – and called on the Israeli occupation to continue until a final victory is achieved, no matter what it takes.

Even though Graham did not call right out for using actual nuclear weapons in Gaza, his statement echoes the same controversial comparison he himself made during a subcommittee hearing earlier this week, in which he resembled the war on Gaza as "Hiroshima and Nagasaki on steroids."

In light of the Biden administration's temporary hold on bomb shipments to "Israel", Graham urged Washington to "give Israel the bombs they need to end the war they can’t afford to lose, and work with them to minimize casualties."