Netanyahu’s Warning to US Leaders: ‘You’re Next,’ Cautioning Them

May 22, 2024 TruthUSA

The Israeli prime minister responded to the International Criminal Court’s application seeking his arrest.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disagreed with the arrest warrants sought by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and suggested that U.S. leaders could also be targeted.

This week, the ICC announced that it would seek arrest warrants for Mr. Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders in response to their conduct during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. This move drew criticism from Israeli and U.S. officials, including President Joe Biden.

Mr. Netanyahu expressed concern that the warrants against him and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant could set a dangerous precedent for democratic countries and their allies.

In an interview with CNN, Mr. Netanyahu called the ICC claims “false, dangerous, and outrageous,” pointing out that Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan was exacerbating the situation by equating Israel’s democratically elected leaders with Hamas terrorists.

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A panel of judges will decide on issuing the arrest warrants and proceeding with the case, a process that typically takes about two months.

Since Israel is not a member of the court, Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant do not face immediate prosecution even if arrest warrants are issued. However, the threat of arrest could complicate their ability to travel abroad.

The ICC prosecutor, Mr. Khan, alleged that Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant may be criminally responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, including acts like starvation of civilians, persecution, and willful killing. Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, and Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri were also implicated in crimes against humanity by the ICC.

International human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, serving on an expert panel advising Mr. Khan, stated that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both Hamas and Israeli leaders have committed war crimes as per the expert report published by her office.

In response to the ICC prosecutor’s announcement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken rejected the arrest warrants, emphasizing the lack of equivalence between Israel and Hamas. He called the Prosecutor’s actions shameful.

Sen. Bernie Sanders supported the ICC’s move, highlighting the importance of upholding international law to prevent anarchy, wars, and barbarism.

Israel is also facing a case brought by South Africa in the International Court of Justice, where it faces genocide accusations. Israeli officials have refuted these allegations.

The ICC was established in 2002 to prosecute individuals involved in war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, and aggression.

Last year, a warrant was issued for Russian President Vladimir Putin in connection with the Ukraine war. The Kremlin responded by issuing arrest warrants for Mr. Khan and ICC judges.

Other notable individuals charged by the ICC include Moammar Gadhafi, his son Saif Gadhafi, Omar al-Bashir, and Joseph Kony.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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