The international criminal court’s (ICC) attempts to arrest Israeli officials have been met with bipartisan resistance in the US.
ICC prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan recently announced he was seeking arrest warrants for Hamas and Israeli leadership for alleged war crimes.
President Joe Biden, along with numerous Republican and Democrat legislators, criticized, Khan’s move, and reaffirmed support for Israel.
“The ICC prosecutor’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous,” said President Biden.“We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security.”
The ICC is an international tribunal designed to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.
Khan alleged he has sufficient evidence to substantiate arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
US Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) denied the ICC’s jurisdiction over the conflict.
Senator Scott claimed “the ICC has embarrassed itself with these sham charges against Israel’s leadership.”
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) similarly denounced the ICC’s anti-Israel actions.
“As disappointing as the ICC’s decision is, it comes as no surprise because for decades and decades the ICC has shown it harbors deep biases against Israel,” said Senator Schumer.
Earlier this month, US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) sent Biden a letter requesting the latter reject the ICC’s warrants.
“It is outrageous that the ICC would make a political calculus to target Israel, which only further undermines the Court’s legitimacy and undercuts efforts to advance peace between Israelis and Palestinians,” reads the letter.
