Israel’s war efforts against Hamas suffered a devastating blow after reports emerged that arrest warrants are being sought for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Prosecutor Karim Khan of the International Criminal Court (ICC) formally requested arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, arguing that both men committed genocide in their nation’s war effort against Hamas.
“Israel, like all States, has a right to take action to defend its population. That right, however, does not absolve Israel or any State of its obligation to comply with international humanitarian law,” Khan wrote in a statement demanding the arrest warrants. “Notwithstanding any military goals they may have, the means Israel chose to achieve them in Gaza – namely, intentionally causing death, starvation, great suffering, and serious injury to body or health of the civilian population – are criminal.”
Kahn also requested warrants for several high-ranking Hamas terrorists, including Yahya Sinwar, “political” leader Ismail Haniyeh, and the “commander-in-chief” of Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri.
While Israel is not a signatory to the Rome Statute that gives the ICC its power, other signatories are obligated to arrest the prime minister if the court issues the arrest warrants. However, whether the court will grant Kahn’s wishes and issue an arrest order remains unclear.
President Joe Biden’s White House reacted to the news in a Monday statement, claiming it is outraged by the arrest warrant request.
🚨 BREAKING – The US REJECTS the accusations by the International Criminal Court against Israel
“The ICC has NO Jurisdiction on this matter”
“There is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas. None”pic.twitter.com/mJukF3Xj8G
— Kosher🎗🧡 (@KosherCockney) May 20, 2024
“The ICC prosecutor’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous. And let me be clear: whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence — none — between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security,” the statement, which was signed by President Joe Biden, read.
BREAKING: President Biden, "Let me be clear. We reject the ICC's application of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders. Whatever these warrants may imply, there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas.
"And it's clear Israel wants to do all it can to ensure civilian… pic.twitter.com/IgtsTiH1Ap
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) May 20, 2024
Biden’s outrage is a far cry from the rhetoric his administration has pursued against Israel in recent times.
Reports also showed that Amal Clooney, Hollywood star George Clooney’s wife, helped Kahn prepare the arrest warrant request against Netanyahu. According to Breitbart News, Kahn specifically thanked Amal for her help in securing the warrants.
HOLLYWOOD HYPOCRISY
Today, it was reported that Amal Clooney was among the people who advised the International Criminal Court (ICC) in seeking an arrest warrant for @netanyahu.
Also today, @JoeBiden denounced the ICC for equating Israel with HAMAS.
This is really… pic.twitter.com/nFK8ppLJwm
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) May 21, 2024
“I have also been grateful for the advice of a panel of experts in international law, an impartial group I convened to support the evidence review and legal analysis in relation to these arrest warrant applications. The Panel is composed of experts of immense standing in international humanitarian law and international criminal law, including Sir Adrian Fulford PC, former Lord Justice of Appeal and former International Criminal Court Judge; Baroness Helena Kennedy KC, President of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute; Elizabeth Wilmshurst CMG KC, former Deputy Legal Adviser at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Danny Friedman KC; and two of my Special Advisers – Amal Clooney and His Excellency Judge Theodor Meron CMG. This independent expert analysis has supported and strengthened the applications filed today by my Office,” Khan said.