U.S.(Washington Insider Magazine) – The arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has sparked outrage among U.S. politicians. Both major political parties in the U.S. have united in opposition to the ICC’s decision, with many questioning its legitimacy.
The ICC charged Netanyahu and Gallant with war crimes, including using starvation as a method of warfare and committing crimes against humanity during Israel’s siege of Gaza. The Biden administration was quick to reject the ruling, citing concerns over the process and the court’s jurisdiction, as Israel is not a signatory to the Rome Statute that established the ICC. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that the U.S. believes the court’s jurisdiction does not extend to Israeli officials due to the complex issue surrounding Palestine’s status.
Republicans, including Senator Lindsey Graham and Congressman Mike Waltz, have called for harsher measures, including sanctions on ICC officials. Some have even suggested military responses, citing the American Service-Members’ Protection Act, which allows the U.S. to take military action to free Americans or allies detained by the court. Senator Tom Cotton described the ICC as a “kangaroo court,” invoking the possibility of forceful intervention.
On the other hand, Democrats like Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib welcomed the ICC’s decision, seeing it as a long-overdue step towards accountability for alleged Israeli war crimes. Tlaib, a vocal critic of Israeli policies, called for the U.S. to halt arms transfers to Israel and end its complicity in what she termed as Israeli apartheid.
Amidst this, a local mayor in Dearborn, Michigan, home to a large Arab-American population, vowed to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant if they ever entered the city. While the U.S. does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction, this act of defiance signals a growing rift over how to deal with Israeli leaders accused of war crimes.
This controversy highlights the deep divisions within U.S. politics regarding Israel, with some politicians defending Israel’s right to self-defense and others advocating for accountability for alleged atrocities committed during the Gaza conflict. The debate over the ICC’s decision underscores the complex relationship between the U.S. and Israel, and the broader international community’s stance on holding leaders accountable for war crimes.