House Speaker Mike Johnson called the reported warrant “disgraceful” and “lawless” and called on the Biden administration to “immediately and unequivocally step down from the ICC” and “take steps to stop these abhorrent acts.” “Use all available means.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) looks over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, April 29, 2024 (Associated Press)
Lawmakers have warned the International Criminal Court that arrest warrants against Israeli officials could lead to U.S. retaliation, and legislation is already in the works, Axios reported.
The newspaper reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked US President Joe Biden to block two Israeli officials from issuing arrest warrants for Israeli officials responsible for war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Ta.
A White House National Security Council spokesperson declined to comment on the content of the phone call between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Biden, but told Axios, “As we have stated publicly many times, in this situation, the ICC “We do not have jurisdiction and will not support an ICC investigation.” ”
At the same time, House Speaker Mike Johnson called the reported warrants “shameful” and “lawless.”
“If the Biden administration does not object, the ICC could create and assume unprecedented powers to issue arrest warrants against American political leaders, American diplomats, and American military personnel,” Johnson said. he pointed out.
He called on the Biden administration to “immediately and unequivocally demand the resignation of the ICC” and “use all available means to stop these abhorrent acts.”
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According to reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Security Minister Yoav Galan, and Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Chief of Staff Helzi Halevi have been named as suspects for war crimes that the ICC is considering prosecuting.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) told Axios that Sen. Tom Cotton’s (R-Ark.) bill would impose sanctions on ICC officials investigating the United States and its allies. He expressed his hope that the House version of the bill would be passed, but said: That’s not it. ”
Meanwhile, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) called on the United States to “consider whether to remain a signatory” to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, adding, “We are open to discussions with some countries. I have to think about it,” he added. He asked if any of the countries that had ratified (the treaty) would like to support this organization. ”
“We know Congress will ensure the consequences of absurd decisions like this,” Sherman said in a post about X.
For months, families of the October 7 victims have called on the ICC to arrest Hamas leaders for the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Instead, the ICC appears to be considering warrants against Israeli leaders in apparent self-defense. Such a decision is outrageous and I condemn it. 1/3
— Congressman Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) April 28, 2024
Pro-Israel Rep. Richie Torres (N.Y.) and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) joined Mr. Torres in calling for “a strong outcome from both Congress and the president” at the ICC. Meanwhile, Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who has publicly criticized Israel, said, “The ICC is an independent institution and we need to move forward with what we need to do.”
“It’s not a problem for Congress to tell us what to do,” said Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), another critic of “Israel.”
“Why don’t we just wait and see what happens? Then we can evaluate based on what comes out,” Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) told Axios, adding that Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mass., told Axios. Rep. (D-Mich.) expressed “concern.” “Prosecution of War,” but “It’s always a good idea to know the facts before making a judgment.”
Earlier, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters that Israel’s military operations in Gaza do not compare with Russia’s operations in Ukraine, citing the arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin. he said.
When asked why the United States supported the ICC case against Russia while opposing potential ICC legal action against Israeli officials, Patel said, “We[Putin]There is no moral equivalence between that and what the Kremlin does.” Compared to the Israeli government. ”
He added that the United States does not believe the ICC has any jurisdiction over the situation in Palestine, noting that the United States is not a party to the treaty that established the ICC.
