President Joe Biden strongly condemned the International Criminal Court’s announcement seeking to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other leaders, as well as Hamas leaders, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Biden emphasized that there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas and rejected the ICC’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also denounced the ICC’s move, calling it shameful and highlighting Hamas’ brutal actions. ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan stated that Netanyahu, Sinwar, and others bear criminal responsibility for various war crimes, including intentional attacks on civilians.
While it’s unlikely that the targeted leaders will face prosecution, the arrest warrants could impact their ability to travel abroad. Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, criticized the ICC’s decision as absurd, with Netanyahu emphasizing the morality of the Israeli military in comparison to Hamas.
Experts noted that the warrants may lead to travel bans and international embarrassment for the Israeli government. Human rights advocates welcomed the development as a step towards justice, despite the lack of recognition of the court’s jurisdiction by Israel and the U.S.
The ICC had previously initiated an investigation into war crimes committed by both Israeli and Palestinian militants, dating back to the Israel-Hamas war in 2014. The current investigation is looking into the events following Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, which led to significant casualties and hostage situations. Israeli leaders also face pressure to cease their military offensive in Gaza and secure a cease-fire with Hamas.
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