US fumes at ICC warrants for Israeli leaders as world welcomes 'step toward justice'
Washington and Tel Aviv say they are coordinating retaliatory actions against the ICC, while Palestinian officials called the warrants 'a limited and spiritual step' if not backed by all 124 signatories of the Rome Statute
The White House “fundamentally rejects” the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 21 November to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant.
“We remain deeply concerned by the Prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision. The United States has been clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter. In coordination with partners, including Israel, we are discussing next steps,” a National Security Council spokesperson told reporters.
Hours after the ruling, the State Department canceled its daily press briefing.
US opposition leaders also rebuked the decision, with Senator and Donald Trump-ally Lindsey Graham calling the ICC "a dangerous joke. "It is now time for the US Senate to act and sanction this irresponsible body," Graham stressed.
Similarly, Republican senator Tom Cotton invoked the 2002 American Service-Members’ Protection Act, also known as “The Hague Invasion Act,” which authorizes the use of military force to liberate any US citizen or citizen of a US-allied country arrested in The Hague.
“The ICC is a kangaroo court, and Karim Khan is a deranged fanatic,” Cotton wrote on social media.
All 124 member states of the ICC are now obligated to detain Netanyahu and Gallant if they enter their territory. The US – which is not an ICC member – has previously welcomed ICC arrest warrants against Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials.
“[It’s] an important step towards justice and can lead to redress for the victims in general, but it remains limited and symbolic if it is not supported by all means by all countries around the world,” Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim said in a statement. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) also welcomed the ruling but called it a “delayed” step.
In Israel, government and opposition officials have primarily blamed the ruling on “antisemitism.”
As Washington readies its next move to assist the Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, authorities in London said they “respect the independence of the International Criminal Court, which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern.”
“This government has been clear that Israel has a right to defend itself, in accordance with international law," the statement from London stresses, adding that there is “no moral equivalence” between Israeli authorities and Palestinian and Lebanese resistance leaders.
Similar responses poured in on Thursday from a majority of western nations, most of which avoided answering whether they would enforce the ICC ruling and arrest the wanted Israeli leaders.
France called enforcing the warrants a “legally complex” point, while Italy said it would “evaluate together with our allies what to do and how to interpret this decision.” The Netherlands, home to the ICC, took a more direct approach and reaffirmed Amsterdam's commitment to enforcing ICC rulings.
Similarly, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said that issuing the warrants was "an extremely significant step," adding that anyone in a position to assist the ICC in carrying out its vital work must do so “with urgency.”
Earlier Thursday, the EU foreign policy chief said the ICC ruling is “binding, and all the states parties to the ICC, including all members of the EU, are bound to implement this court decision.”
In the Global South, the ICC ruling was broadly welcomed as a “step toward justice” for the victims of the US-Israeli war.
“South Africa reaffirms its commitment to international law and urges all state parties to act in accordance with their obligations in the Rome Statute,” reads a statement from Pretoria, which is also leading a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“We call on the global community to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability for human rights violations," the statement adds.
"Netanyahu is [guilty of] genocide," Colombian President Gustavo Petro said via social media. "If Biden ignores this decision, he will only lead the world toward barbarism. Western Europe must reclaim its independence in global politics and act in accordance with the court's ruling."
As nations continue to react to the landmark ruling, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced late in the day that he has instructed ambassadors “to act against countries globally” that choose to honor the ICC's “scandalous decision.”
ICC top prosecutor Karim Khan on Thursday urged the 124 member states to act on arrest warrants issued against Netanyahu, Gallant, and Qassam Brigades leader Mohammed Deif, who was allegedly killed earlier this year in Gaza.
“Based on the evidence presented by my Office, the judges have confirmed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Rome "Statute crimes have been committed,” Khan said in a statement. He also called on countries that are not members of the ICC to work together towards “upholding international law.”