The White House has said that the US “fundamentally rejects” the international criminal court’s (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants for the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the country’s former Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant.
A statement from a US national security council spokesperson noted, “We remain deeply concerned by the Prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision.”
It added that the United States has been clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter.
The US – which is not an ICC member – has previously welcomed ICC war crimes warrants against Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials for atrocities committed in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Washington has previously denounced the court’s pursuit of Netanyahu and Gallant.
Also, Congressman Mike Waltz, who is set to serve as President-elect Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser, slammed the court over the Netanyahu and Gallant arrest warrants in a post on social media.
“The ICC has no credibility and these allegations have been refuted by the US government.
“Israel has lawfully defended its people & borders from genocidal terrorists. You can expect a strong response to the antisemitic bias of the ICC & UN come January.”
Mike Waltz
However, Abdullah Hammoud, Mayor of the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, Michigan, home to one of the largest Arab communities in the US, asserted that the city would enforce the ICC warrants against Gallant and Netanyahu.
“Dearborn will arrest Netanyahu & Gallant if they step within Dearborn city limits.
“Other cities should declare the same. Our President may not take action, but city leaders can ensure Netanyahu & other war criminals are not welcome to travel freely across these United States.”
Abdullah Hammoud
The US does not recognise the ICC’s jurisdiction on its soil, so it is not clear whether its municipalities have the authority to arrest Netanyahu.
Also, DAWN, a US-based rights group, welcomed the arrest warrants and warned Biden administration officials.
Raed Jarrar, DAWN’s Advocacy Director, said in a statement that by continuing to provide military assistance to Israel despite credible accusations of war crimes by the ICC, “US leaders … are exposing themselves to personal liability under international law.”
“Article 25(3)(c) of the Rome Statute outlines clear criminal liability for aiding and abetting war crimes, which applies to individuals in non-member states like the US when their actions enable violations under ICC jurisdiction.”
Raed Jarrar
ICC Arrest Warrant Labelled As “Significant Step”
Despite U.S’ reaction, a number of world leaders supported the ICC’s move. Irish Prime Minister, Simon Harris said that the ICC’s arrest warrants were a significant step.
“Ireland respects the role of the International Criminal Court. Anyone in a position to assist it in carrying out its vital work must now do so with urgency.”
Simon Harris
Ireland’s foreign ministry also said in a statement that states must respect the ICC’s “independence and impartiality, with no attempts made to undermine the court.”
The ministry’s statement added that the warrants “follows the court’s determination that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the alleged crimes were committed” by Netanyahu, Gallant and Deif.
Ireland has long supported Palestinian statehood, going so far as to independently recognise it this May.
Also, Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi stated that the International Criminal Court’s decision must be respected and implemented, adding the Palestinians deserved justice after what he termed Israel’s “war crimes” in Gaza.
The European Union’s foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell, said that the decision to issue these warrants was “not political”, and that the court’s decision should be “respected and implemented.”
He added that the arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif are “binding for all EU member states.”
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