Netanyahu Expresses Disappointment Over US Refusal to Support Sanctioning ICC for Issuing Warrants
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is urging the Biden administration to support sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC recently announced its intention to seek arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his defense minister, and top Hamas leaders. Netanyahu expressed his disappointment in the White House’s decision not to back congressional sanctions against the ICC during an interview on “The Morgan Ortagus Show,” where he warned that America could be the next target after Israel.
While the White House deemed congressional sanctions against the ICC unnecessary, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby emphasized that the ICC lacks jurisdiction to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his defense minister. Despite this, Netanyahu criticized the U.S. for not supporting sanctions against the ICC, stating that it is crucial to send a message to the court that free societies have the right to defend themselves.
The ICC prosecutor’s announcement of arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his defense minister, and Hamas leaders was met with rejection from the White House and the United Kingdom. However, some European countries, including Germany, indicated their willingness to serve and detain Netanyahu if necessary. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken denounced the ICC’s charges and rejected the equivalence drawn between Israel and Hamas.
Netanyahu, in response to the charges, criticized the ICC’s actions as outrageous and warned that U.S. and Western leaders could also be targeted in the future. The ICC, established in 2002, focuses on prosecuting individuals involved in war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, and aggression.
