The International Criminal Court (ICC)'s May 20 request to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been met with opposition from the US and UK.
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| The headquarters of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands. (Source: Reuters) |
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan said he had asked the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber I to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, along with three top Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
After the above decision, South Africa expressed its welcome, emphasizing that the law must be applied equally to everyone in order to maintain the international rule of law as well as protect the rights of victims.
However, AFP reported that US President Joe Biden criticized the proposal to arrest the Israeli leader as "outrageous". The leader stressed that "no matter what this prosecutor implies, there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas".
On the same day, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak commented that the ICC prosecutor's decision did not help to halt fighting, rescue hostages or provide humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.
On May 21, TASS news agency quoted a statement by US House Speaker Mike Johnson saying that US lawmakers are considering imposing sanctions on the ICC if the agency issues an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
"In the absence of leadership from the White House, the US Congress will consider all options, including sanctions, to punish the ICC and ensure that its leaders face consequences if they proceed," Johnson said in a statement.
"If the ICC is allowed to threaten Israeli leaders, American leaders could be next," the US House Speaker said. "The ICC has no jurisdiction over Israel or the United States, and today's baseless and unlawful decision will face global condemnation."
Mr Johnson also said the ICC's move was equating Israeli officials with Hamas.
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