US President Biden Rejects the ICC’s Request for Arrest Warrants for Israeli Leaders
In a significant development, US President Joe Biden has dismissed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) prosecutor’s request for an arrest warrant targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli and Hamas leaders.
The ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, had applied for arrest warrants over alleged war crimes committed during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Biden, speaking at a Jewish American Heritage Month event, made it clear that American support for the safety and security of Israelis remains unwavering. He criticised the prosecutor’s attempt to draw an equivalence between Israel and Hamas, asserting that there is none.
Netanyahu, in response, vehemently rejected the comparison made by the Hague prosecutor.
He referred to Hamas as “mass murderers” and emphasised that Israel would not be deterred by international pressure when it comes to defending itself against those seeking its destruction.
Khan, in a statement, clarified that his office sought the arrest warrants to demonstrate that international humanitarian law applies universally.
He cited reasonable grounds to believe that both Israeli and Hamas leaders bear criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The alleged crimes include murder, taking hostages, rape, acts of sexual violence, starvation of civilians, and intentionally directing attacks against civilian populations. Khan asserted that these actions were part of widespread and systematic attacks against civilians in Israel and Palestine, carried out pursuant to organisational and state policies.
Former military chief Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, criticised Khan’s announcement. Gantz maintained that Israel adheres to a strict moral code and possesses a robust judiciary capable of self-investigation.
Meanwhile, South Africa, which has been leading a genocide case against Israel, welcomed Khan’s move. The emphasis on equal application of the law aims to uphold international law.
