Congressmen warn ICC about sanctions because of Netanyahu

American congressmen from both parties have warned the International Criminal Court that they are preparing retaliatory measures if arrest warrants are issued against Israeli authorities, Axios reports, citing sources.

Press service
Fatou Bensouda responded by saying that the prosecutor will continue to perform her duty without fear and does not intend to do anyone any favors. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned in response: “We are ready for additional measures, including economic sanctions, if the ICC does not change course.”

According to the publication, Biden was personally urged to intervene by Netanyahu, who appears on the list of persons against whom a warrant could be issued. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the ICC's possible decision “disgraceful” and “lawless.”

“If the Biden administration is unopposed, the ICC will be able to create and assume unprecedented powers to issue arrest warrants for American political leaders, American diplomats and American military personnel,” Johnson said. He called on the Biden administration to “immediately and unequivocally demand that the ICC withdraw” and “use all available tools to prevent such an abomination.”

Washington responded evasively to a question about the possible issuance of arrest warrants by the ICC for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials, DW reports. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Monday, April 29, that The United States does not support the investigation, and is also convinced that the International Criminal Court in The Hague does not have jurisdiction. She did not answer this question in more detail.

Earlier, Israeli media reported that Netanyahu fears that the ICC will issue an arrest warrant for him, as well as Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant and Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi. The International Criminal Court in The Hague has been investigating the radical terrorist group Hamas and Israel for alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip since 2021. There is also an investigation into acts of violence committed by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

Countries that accept the jurisdiction of the ICC are obliged to arrest people subject to a warrant and transfer them to The Hague – provided that they are located on the territory of these states. Like the United States, Israel does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

Pursuing Netanyahu is not putting Putin on the wanted list; maybe he will come in response.

Fatou Bensouda became prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in 2012

In 2019 USA taken away an entry visa from the chief prosecutor of the Hague International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda. She is investigating crimes committed by the US military and its allies in Afghanistan.

The United States has withdrawn from the International Criminal Court, which began operating in 2002. China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Libya did the same.

I wonder how the ICC will respond to these threats? Will he swallow it again or not?

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