US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Takes Aim at International Criminal Court Over Israel Probe
WASHINGTON — In a fiery exchange, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has hinted at possible sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) as its prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials. Blinken made it clear during a congressional hearing that he was ready to take action against what he deemed a “profoundly wrong-headed decision.”
Amid growing Republican pressure to impose sanctions on ICC officials, a vote on the matter could happen as early as this week. The United States, although not a member of the court, has supported previous prosecutions, including the ICC’s arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin related to the conflict in Ukraine.
During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Tuesday, James Risch, the committee’s top Republican, grilled Blinken on whether he would support legislation to address the ICC’s interference in the affairs of countries with independent judicial systems. Blinken responded affirmatively, stating, “We want to work with you on a bipartisan basis to find an appropriate response. I’m committed to doing that.”
Blinken strongly criticized the ICC’s decision, stating, “There’s no question we have to look at the appropriate steps to take to deal with, again, what is a profoundly wrong-headed decision.”
The ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, recently announced his application for arrest warrants against Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Additionally, Khan is seeking arrest warrants for three Hamas officials, including Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, among others.
US President Joe Biden condemned the move, calling it “outrageous” and highlighting the lack of equivalence between Israel and Hamas. Blinken’s remarks mirror the growing resistance in Washington to the ICC’s actions.
Several measures imposing sanctions on the ICC have been introduced in Congress as the court intensifies its inquiry into Israel’s actions in Gaza. Support for these measures is gaining traction, with lawmakers rallying behind bills like the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, which targets ICC officials involved in the case.
While Republicans are largely backing the sanction efforts, the stance among Democratic lawmakers remains less clear. The party’s internal divisions on Israel policy have presented a challenge, with some members hesitant to support punitive measures against the ICC.
Despite differing opinions within Congress, the debate over sanctions against the ICC continues to intensify, with both parties weighing their options. The White House is in discussions with lawmakers on potential “next steps,” while international observers, including Russia, are closely monitoring the unfolding developments.
The battle over the ICC’s actions and the potential consequences of sanctions loom large, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown between US lawmakers and the international judicial body.
Stay tuned for more updates as the saga unfolds. — Reporting by BBC
