Biden Condemns ICC Arrest Warrants for Israeli Leaders as “Outrageous”
U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed strong disapproval of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant. In a forceful statement, Biden called the warrants “outrageous” and emphasized the lack of equivalence between Israel and Hamas. “Whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence — none — between Israel and Hamas,” he declared, reiterating unwavering U.S. support for Israel. “We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security,” Biden added.
The ICC’s arrest warrants, issued from The Hague, allege that Netanyahu and Gallant bear responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity. These charges include the use of starvation as a method of warfare and targeting civilians during the military campaign in Gaza. The court claims these acts occurred between October 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024. A similar warrant was also issued for Mohammed Deif, the military leader of Hamas, citing crimes against humanity, including murder and torture during Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.
White House and Republican Responses
The White House dismissed the ICC’s actions, questioning the tribunal’s jurisdiction and procedural integrity. “We remain deeply concerned by the prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision,” a National Security Council spokesperson stated. The U.S. government maintains its position that neither Israel nor the United States, both non-members of the ICC, fall under the court’s jurisdiction.
Mike Waltz, the incoming national security adviser under President-elect Donald Trump, echoed these sentiments, calling the ICC’s actions a display of “antisemitic bias.” He promised a robust response in January, vowing to challenge the court’s credibility. Several Republican leaders have urged the Senate to consider sanctions against the ICC.
International Reactions
Reactions to the ICC’s move have been polarizing. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced he would invite Netanyahu to Hungary and assured that his government would not enforce the ICC warrants. “The judgment of the International Criminal Court will have no effect in Hungary,” Orban said.
In contrast, Fine Gael leader Simon Harris stated that Ireland would honor the court’s decisions, asserting that Netanyahu would face arrest if he entered the country. China called for the ICC to remain “objective and just” in exercising its powers.
Israel and Hamas Respond
Netanyahu condemned the ICC’s actions as antisemitic and defended Israel’s military conduct in Gaza, highlighting humanitarian aid efforts and attempts to minimize civilian harm. Meanwhile, Hamas called the warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant a step toward rectifying historical injustices, while refraining from addressing the charges against Deif.
The ICC’s decision represents an unprecedented challenge for Israel, a major ally of Western powers, and raises questions about the enforcement of international justice. However, with both Israel and the United States rejecting the court’s authority, the practical implications of these warrants remain uncertain.
One thought on “Biden Condemns ICC Arrest Warrants as “Outrageous””