Lagatar24 Desk
WASHINGTON: The United States has rejected the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, citing jurisdiction concerns and procedural issues.
US Criticism Of ICC Decision
A spokesperson for the National Security Council (NSC) stated, “We remain deeply concerned by the Prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision. The United States has been clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter.”
The ICC’s arrest warrants, issued for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes, cover actions from October 8, 2023, to May 20, 2024.
US Response And Israel’s Defence
Mike Waltz, incoming National Security Advisor under President-elect Donald Trump, criticised the ICC, calling it “biased” and pledged a strong response in January. Waltz added, “The ICC has no credibility, and these allegations have been refuted by the US government.”
Both the United States and Israel have consistently denied the ICC’s jurisdiction, as neither country is a member of the court.
Reactions From The International Community
The Hague-based court also issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, the military chief of Hamas, whom Israel claims was killed in a July airstrike. However, Hamas has not confirmed his death.
Republicans in the US Senate have called for sanctions against the ICC, reflecting wider dissatisfaction with the court’s decision.
