The Pentagon said it rejects the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision on Thursday to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yves Gallant.
Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters during a press briefing on Thursday that the US “fundamentally rejects” the ICC’s decision to issue an arrest warrant.
“We continue to be concerned about the prosecutor’s rush to get arrest warrants, and, you know, some of the processes that have lapsed,” Singh said. “And again, we are very clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter.”
The ICC charged Netanyahu and Gallant with “crimes against humanity and war crimes,” including using starvation as a method of warfare and targeting civilians.
Israeli officials praised Stefanik as the UN’s choice, saying his ‘moral clarity’ would counter the body’s ‘hatred and lies’.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, speaks with former Defense Minister Yves Gallant, left, at the opening of the 25th Knesset session marking the anniversary of the Battle of the “Iron Swords” in Jerusalem, Oct. 28. (Debbie Hill/Pool Photo via AP)
President Biden criticized the court’s decision to issue arrest warrants against two senior Israeli officials.
“The ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous,” Biden said. “Let me be clear once again: whatever the ICC means, there is no equality between Israel and Hamas – none at all. We will always stand against threats to Israel’s security.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the court’s actions in a statement on Thursday.
ICC rejects Israel’s appeals, issues arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant
People inspect a building destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in Dahiya, a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon on November 14. (AP Photo/Hussain Mulla)
“Taken in bad faith, the ICC’s outrageous decision has turned universal justice into a universal laughing stock,” Herzog wrote. “It mocks the sacrifices of all those who fight for justice – from the Allies’ victory over the Nazis to the present day.”
Herzog argued that the ICC decision ignores Hamas’ use of human shields and its October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks that triggered the war, as well as the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza.
Israel made several attempts to prevent the ICC from approving the arrest warrant. They first argued that the ICC had no jurisdiction over Israel, but the court said it could issue arrest warrants as part of its “territorial jurisdiction over Palestine.”
‘Cheerleading for Terrorism’: Twitch Star Called for New 9/11, Denied Oct. 7 Horror
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on September 27. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
Israel also submitted other procedural challenges, but these were rejected.
The move by the ICC comes days after Senate Majority Leader-elect John Thune threatened to hit the court with sanctions if it moves forward with an arrest warrant.
The United States does not officially recognize the ICC’s authority, but this is not the first time Washington has tried to block court proceedings.
Click here to get the Fox News app.
In 2020, the Trump administration opposed efforts by the ICC to investigate US troops and the CIA. Alleged war crimes Between 2003-2004 “in secret detention centers in Afghanistan” and issued sanctions against ICC prosecutors.
The Biden administration lifted those restrictions shortly after taking office.
Anders Hagstrom of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
