The Biden administration does not support the International Criminal Court’s investigation into Israel’s actions in Gaza, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday after reports surfaced over the weekend that Israel is concerned the ICC is preparing to issue arrest warrants against Israeli officials.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint press conference with the German ... [+]
Jean-Pierre told reporters Monday the White House has “been really clear about the ICC investigation, that we don’t support it, that we don’t believe they have the jurisdiction.”
The statement comes as Israeli leaders are preparing for the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Israeli officials as soon as this week, multiple outlets reported over the weekend.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also alluded to potential ICC action Friday in a statement, warning it “would set a dangerous precedent threatening the soldiers and officials of any democracy fighting criminal terrorism and aggression.”
The White House expressed opposition to the ICC probe after House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., urged the Biden administration to challenge the reported arrest warrants in a statement Monday, warning that failure to do so would lead the ICC to “assume unprecedented power to issue arrest warrants against “American political leaders, American diplomats, and American military personnel.”
The ICC has acknowledged previously that it has opened an investigation into the Israel-Hamas war, but has not commented publicly on the reports of imminent arrest warrants.
Unnamed Israeli officials reportedly told the New York Times they believe Netanyahu could be subject to a warrant, along with Hamas leaders. The charges would likely accuse Israel of blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza, according to the Times, citing the Israeli sources. The International Criminal Court has the authority to prosecute individuals accused of war crimes, but it has no police force, and relies on its 124 member countries (not including Israel or the United States) to fulfill arrest warrants.
Israel and Hamas are in talks for a new temporary cease-fire agreement that would require Hamas to release at least 30 hostages, including women, elderly men and sick people who are being held in captivity.
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