United States President, Joe Biden, on Monday criticized an application by the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.
“The ICC prosecutor’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous. And let me be clear: whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence – none – between Israel and Hamas,” said Biden, in a statement.
He added, “We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security.”
Earlier on Monday, ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan sought arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, as well as three Hamas leaders – Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri (Deif), and Ismail Haniyeh – on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Despite recent disagreements between Washington and Tel Aviv over Israel’s conduct amid the Gaza war, particularly after the Israeli forces launched an offensive in the southern city of Rafah, the US reiterated its support.
Biden, however, did not address the arrest warrant requests for the three Hamas leaders. Notably, neither the US nor Israel are members of the ICC and have rejected its jurisdiction.
Reacting, Netanyahu condemned the decision of the ICC prosecutor, calling it absurd, noting, “I reject with disgust” the “comparison of the prosecutor in the Hague between democratic Israel and the mass murderers of Hamas.”
He added, “With what audacity do you compare Hamas that murdered, burned, butchered, decapitated, raped and kidnapped our brothers and sisters with the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldiers fighting a just war unlike any other.”
Certainly! Here’s a rewritten version:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticized the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) chief prosecutor for seeking arrest warrants against him, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders. The ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, accused them of war crimes and crimes against humanity amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Despite recent tensions between the US and Israel over the Gaza conflict, President Joe Biden reiterated his support. However, Biden did not address the arrest warrant requests for the Hamas leaders. Both the US and Israel are not members of the ICC and reject its jurisdiction.
Netanyahu denounced the ICC prosecutor’s decision, calling it absurd and a new form of antisemitism. He vowed that efforts to constrain Israel would fail, reassuring Israeli citizens.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also condemned the ICC’s move, describing it as shameful. He emphasized that Washington rejects any equivalence between Israel and Hamas. Blinken expressed concern that the ICC’s decision could undermine ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Blinken noted that Israel was willing to cooperate with the ICC, with the prosecutor scheduled to visit Israel soon. However, the prosecutor chose to announce the charges on television instead.
“These and other circumstances call into question the legitimacy and credibility of this investigation,” said Blinken.
The ICC prosecutor’s office stated that it suspected Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gallant, and the three Hamas leaders of bearing criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Israel or the Gaza Strip.
