President Joe Biden strongly criticized the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to seek arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, branding it as “outrageous.” The ICC, led by Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, announced the warrants in response to alleged war crimes committed during the conflict in Gaza, involving both Israeli and Hamas leaders.
Biden, echoing sentiments from previous statements, emphasized the lack of equivalence between the actions of Israel and Hamas, particularly highlighting the Israeli right to defend itself. Despite his firm support for Israel, Biden has expressed concerns about Netanyahu’s tactics in the Gaza conflict, particularly regarding the conduct that led to halting specific U.S. arms shipments intended for Israel.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also condemned the ICC’s move, questioning the court’s jurisdiction over the matter and criticizing its quick actions without allowing Israel’s legal processes to address the issues internally. The U.S. stance underscores a broader criticism of the ICC’s approach, which, according to Blinken, has previously allowed other nations time to conduct their own investigations.
The ICC’s actions include charges against other Israeli and Hamas leaders, pointing to a significant escalation in international legal scrutiny over the ongoing conflict. These developments occur amidst a backdrop of Biden’s direct engagements with Netanyahu and ongoing U.S. diplomatic efforts to manage its geopolitical and strategic interests in the region.
