U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on President Biden’s proposed budget request for the Department of State, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 21, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Tuesday that the Biden administration is willing to collaborate with Congress to address the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor’s request for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders related to the Gaza conflict. This statement comes amid Republican calls for U.S. sanctions against ICC officials.
ICC Prosecutor’s Request
ICC prosecutor Karim Khan stated on Monday that he had reasonable grounds to believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s defense chief, and three Hamas leaders bear criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
U.S. Response
Speaking at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Blinken criticized the ICC’s move as “profoundly wrong-headed,” asserting that it would hinder efforts to negotiate a hostage deal and a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. He emphasized the administration’s willingness to work with Congress to formulate an appropriate response, though he did not specify what actions might be taken.
Political Reactions
Both President Joe Biden and his political opponents have condemned the ICC prosecutor’s announcement, questioning the court’s jurisdiction over the Gaza conflict. Despite the U.S. not being a member of the ICC, it has supported certain ICC prosecutions in the past, such as the arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Ukraine war.
During a later hearing, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham expressed a desire to collaborate with the administration to oppose the ICC’s actions. He suggested imposing sanctions on the ICC to support Israel and safeguard U.S. interests.
Legislative Context
Republican members of Congress have previously proposed legislation to sanction the ICC, though such measures require backing from President Biden and Democratic senators. In 2020, the Trump administration accused the ICC of infringing on U.S. sovereignty with its investigation into war crimes in Afghanistan, resulting in asset freezes and travel bans on ICC staff, including then-prosecutor Fatou Bensouda.
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