Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out on Friday over reports that the International Criminal Court may be preparing to issue arrest warrants against senior government officials, possibly including the prime minister himself, over the nation’s war against Hamas.
"Under my leadership, Israel will never accept any attempt by the ICC to undermine its inherent right of self-defense," he said. "The threat to seize the soldiers and officials of the Middle East’s only democracy and the world’s only Jewish state is outrageous. We will not bow to it.”
While Netanyahu said his nation will be undeterred by the ICC in its war efforts, issuing arrest warrants would “set a dangerous precedent that threatens the soldiers and officials of all democracies fighting savage terrorism and wanton aggression," he argued.
In the U.S. Congress, lawmakers are threatening a legislative response to the ICC’s potential move.
One Republican House member told Axios there is already legislation being drafted to respond to any warrants.
- House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) told Axios he expects a House version of Sen. Tom Cotton's (R-Ark.) bill to sanction ICC officials involved in investigating the U.S. and its allies, but added: "We hope it doesn't come to that."
- Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) said the U.S. should "think of whether we stay a signatory" to the Rome Statute — the treaty that established the ICC.
- "We have to think about talking to some of the countries that have ratified [the treaty] as to whether they want to support the organization," he added.
Zoom in: It's not just Republicans lashing out and warning the ICC that warrants could be met with a legislative response.
- Staunchly pro-Israel Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) have both criticized the reported warrants, with Torres calling for "strong consequences from both Congress and the President." (Axios)
House Speaker Mike Johnson called on the ICC to "stand down" and a number of members of Congress voiced their disapproval as well.
Any attempt by the ICC to arrest the democratically elected leadership of Israel is outrageous.
— Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (@RepDesposito) April 28, 2024
The ICC should focus on apprehending the leadership of Hamas that is currently hiding in tunnels and using civilians as human shields.@POTUS: now is the time to stand with Israel…
The ICC is propping up Hamas by attempting to punish the only democracy in the Middle East just for defending itself against barbaric terrorism. This action by international bureaucrats would embolden radical terrorists and encourage more carnage.
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) April 26, 2024
The US must stand with our…
A disgusting choice by the ICC to bow to the radical anti-Israel movement that wants to destroy the Jewish State.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) April 28, 2024
Israel is delivering tons of aid to Gaza every day WHILE fighting Iran-backed terrorism that murdered 1,200+ & is still holding 100+ hostage, including Americans. https://t.co/YFfcdksgNt
As previously reported, the ICC is a toothless body and any action would likely "be seen in much of the world as a humbling moral rebuke," according to The New York Times.
