In a significant development in Israel-Hamas war, the American lawmakers are now thinking of imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC), if it issues arrest warrant on Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, announced US House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Issuing the statement at a local time, US House speaker said
“In the absence of leadership from the White House, Congress is reviewing all options, including sanctions, to punish the ICC and ensure its leadership faces consequences if they proceed. If the ICC is allowed to threaten Israeli leaders, ours could be next.”
Later, he also announced, that ICC possess no authority over Israel and United States. Also added, these baseless and illegitimate decision deserves global condemnation.
Earlier, ICC Chief prosecutor Karim A A Khan, issued warrant applications against both Netanyahu and Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, alongside Hamas’s top leaders- Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh for committing crimes against humanity during Israel’s seven-month war against Hamas in Gaza.
Reacting to the announcement, Israel PM Netanyahu declared, this warrant is not just absurd and false, but it is also against the entire state of Israel.
US Reaction To ICC’s AnnouncementÂ
Later, the republican lawmakers called for Biden to impose sanctions on ICC.
Both Secretary of state Antony Blinken and US president Joe Biden condemned the issued warrant. Even though, the reason gave by them were different.
While US president Joe Biden said that this warrant is outrageous. However, Antony Blinken gave a very interesting reasoning, saying this announcement has the potential to jeopardize negotiations on hostage deal and ceasefire.
However, ironically, it was the wife of Hollywood actor George Clooney, who advised ICC chief prosecutor Khan. Implying, the thin line between film industry and Politics.
When being why she advised the ICC Chief, she said the following,
“I served on this panel because I believe in the rule of law and the need to protect civilian lives. The law that protects civilians in war was developed more than 100 years ago and it applies in every country in the world regardless of the reasons for a conflict.” said the statement issues by Clooney Foundation for Justice.