US Congress threatens ICC over Israel arrest warrants — RT World News

Both Republican and Democratic US lawmakers have called for retaliation against the International Criminal Court if it issues arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over their role in alleged war crimes against Palestinians.

respond to Media reports This week, as the Hague-based court will soon issue arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, members of Congress issued statements warning of the consequences of any such move. United States representative Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) is among those who insist that Washington will retaliate against any attempt to arrest Israeli leaders during their ongoing war with Hamas.

“It appears that the International Criminal Court is considering issuing arrest warrants against Israeli leaders for legitimate self-defense.” The 14-term congressman said: Such a move would turn the court into a tribunal, Sherman said “Kangaroo Court” addition, “president [Joe Biden] This must be condemned, and I know that Congress will ensure the consequences of such a ridiculous decision.

The potential arrest warrants are linked to the International Criminal Court's investigation into alleged atrocities committed by the Israeli military and Palestinian armed groups dating back to 2014. Axios reported on Monday that Netanyahu Biden asked To prevent the International Criminal Court from trying to prosecute him or other officials in his government.

Israel and Hamas fought a month-long war in 2014. Their latest conflict began in October, when Hamas fighters launched surprise attacks on villages in southern Israel, killing more than 1,100 people and taking hundreds of hostages to Gaza. More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed since then. The United Nations International Court of Justice issued a ruling last January stating this “reasonable” Israeli forces committed acts of genocide in the besieged Palestinian Strip.

Like Sherman, Rep Richie Torres (Democrat from New York) insisted that Congress and Biden must respond 'strong consequences' If the International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Israelis. “The law cannot be allowed to continue to be used as a weapon in the service of terrorism.” He said.

Republicans have issued similar ones Formulations. He added, “The International Criminal Court supports Hamas by trying to punish the only democracy in the Middle East simply for defending itself against barbaric terrorism.” The actor said Elise Stefanik (Republican-New York).

Senator John Fetterman (Democrat from Pennsylvania) seeks to prosecute Israeli leaders “This would be a fatal blow to the judicial and moral standing of the ICC.” He called on Biden to intervene.

The Biden administration on Monday accused Israeli military units of committing human rights violations for the first time. These incidents occurred before the recent war with Hamas, and the administration has no plans to impose sanctions or restrict military aid to Israel.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson (Republican from Louisiana) insisted that the International Criminal Court has no jurisdiction over Israel. He called for potential arrest warrants “Unfounded and illegal” Adding that it would undermine American national security.

Although West Jerusalem is not a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court, the arrest orders could prevent Israeli leaders from traveling to any of the 124 countries that recognize the court's jurisdiction.