US President Joe Biden was sharply criticized on Thursday International Criminal CourtArrest warrants for Israeli leaders, labeling them “offensive”.
“Whatever the ICC may imply, there is no parallel between Israel and Hamas — none,” Biden asserted. This came after the tribunal issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant over alleged war crimes.
“We will always stand up to threats to Israel’s security”, Biden added.
This The White House issued a separate statement expressing fundamental rejection of the arrest call. A National Security Council spokesman highlighted concerns about prosecutors’ rushed warrant requests and procedural issues, while reiterating the US position that the ICC lacks jurisdiction.
Notably, the White House statement did not address the ICC warrant issued for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif.
Mike Waltz, the incoming national security adviser under the incoming Trump administration, supported Israel and in January suggested plans for a firm response to alleged ICC and UN bias.
“The ICC has no credibility and the allegations have been denied by the US government,” Waltz said on Platform X.
Republican representatives widely shared this sentiment, advocating for Senate sanctions against some of the ICC, including the 124 member states obligated to execute arrest warrants.
Both the United States and Israel, non-members of the ICC, have dismissed its authority.
The Hague court announced warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, citing “crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least October 8, 2023 to at least May 20, 2024.”
Additionally, a warrant was issued for Deif, who Israeli sources claim was killed in a Gaza airstrike in July, although Hamas has not verified this information.
