US signals support for possible ICC sanctions over Israel warrants
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has indicated that he will collaborate with lawmakers on possible sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) as its prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials.
Blinken expressed his commitment to addressing what he called a “profoundly wrong-headed decision” during a congressional hearing.
His comments coincide with a Republican push to impose sanctions on ICC officials, with a vote potentially occurring this week.
The United States is not a member of the ICC but has supported previous prosecutions, including the ICC’s arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.
At a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Tuesday, James Risch, the committee’s top Republican, asked if Blinken would support legislation to address the ICC “sticking its nose in the business of countries that have an independent, legitimate, democratic judicial system.”
Blinken responded, “We want to work with you on a bipartisan basis to find an appropriate response. I’m committed to doing that.”
He reiterated that there was no question about taking appropriate steps to deal with the “profoundly wrong-headed decision.”
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ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu, Gallant and three Hamas leaders – video
On Monday, ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan announced that he had applied for arrest warrants against Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Khan is also seeking arrest warrants for three Hamas officials: Yahya Sinwar, its leader in Gaza, Mohammed Deif, the commander of its Qassam Brigades military wing, and Ismail Haniyeh, the head of its political bureau.