In a call on November 17, John Thune, who is set to become the majority leader of the U.S. Senate, urged that the Senate should impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it continues to seek arrest warrants against Israeli officials for their involvement in the Gaza conflict with Hamas.
Back in June, the House passed a bill aimed at imposing sanctions on individuals involved in “investigating, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting protected persons” in the International Criminal Court. According to the bill, those sanctioned would be barred from entering or staying in the United States.
Thune stated that if the outgoing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer fails to take action, the Senate Republicans would make the bill and other supporting legislation a “top priority for the next Congress.”
Taking to the social media platform X, Thune mentioned, “The ICC and its prosecutor seeking arrest warrants against Israeli officials is absurd and unlawful. If not withdrawn, the Senate should immediately pass sanctions legislation as the House did with bipartisan support.”
In May of this year, International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan requested arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Khan also requested arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders for killings and kidnappings.
On October 7, 2023, the terrorist group Hamas carried out a deadly raid in southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 1,100 people and the abduction of around 250 hostages. Subsequently, Israel launched a war against Hamas in Gaza in an effort to rescue the hostages.
Following that, on May 21, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators released a statement saying, “The actions of the International Criminal Court endanger efforts for sustainable peace in the Middle East. It puts sensitive negotiations to bring hostages, including Americans, home at risk and puts pressure on humanitarian aid.”
However, not all U.S. lawmakers oppose the actions of the International Criminal Court.
Representative Ilhan Omar stated, “The allegations from the prosecutor’s office are serious, and I’ve always believed that the lack of a credible judicial process is a key reason for the escalating conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.”
Senator Bernie Sanders expressed support for the actions taken by the International Criminal Court prosecutor, saying, “These arrest warrants may or may not be executed, but the global community must uphold international law.”
The Biden administration expressed concerns over Khan’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli officials but stated a strong opposition to using sanctions in response to the actions against the International Criminal Court.
In a statement in June, the White House warned that the scope of the sanctions in the legislation passed by the House could include “court staff, judges, witnesses, and limited, targeted support provided by U.S. allies and partners in their various functions.”
The statement said, “There are more effective ways to defend Israel, uphold U.S. positions at the International Criminal Court, and promote international justice and accountability, and the government stands ready to work with Congress to explore these options.”
Some Republican senators expressed their support for Thune’s stance on imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court for its arrest warrants against Israeli officials.
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said on X, “Good job, Senator Thune. The actions of the International Criminal Court against Israel are outrageous, and an independent review of the prosecutor’s actions is very necessary.”
Senator Jim Risch, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from Idaho, stated that the Senate should immediately pass legislation imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court.
He said on X, “We have waited months for the majority to schedule a vote, only to have it postponed just before the elections. When the Republicans are in the majority, we will not fail to act.”
Schumer did not immediately respond to requests for comments on Thune’s statement.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on May 20 that the International Criminal Court has no jurisdiction and no authority to bring charges against Israeli military and Hamas terrorists for their actions in the conflict in Gaza.
However, International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Khan argued that the court has jurisdiction over the matter and urged the court to urgently decide on his request for arrest warrants.
In a court filing on August 23, he stated, “Any unreasonable delay in these proceedings would adversely affect the rights of the victims.”
(Reference: English Epoch Times report)