Thursday morning began with the news that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for “war crimes and crimes against humanity.” Oh, and for good measure, it included an arrest warrant for Mohammed Deif, a Hamas leader believed to be one of the masterminds of the October 7 attacks in Israel. Who also happens to be dead.
As Streiff observed:
The fact that the ICC ignored Hamas’s responsibility for the October 7 massacre until it could inject a well dose of “ambiguity” by condemning these settler-colonists shows what a tremendously dubious organization the ICC is.
And, as he further points out, the problem is that the ICC may be writing checks that its hinterland cannot cash, since an attempt to arrest Netanyahu could well lead to a direct confrontation with the US, according to American military officials.
READ MORE: International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu
The ICC may have to go through the United States to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu
Now, recent Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is increasing the pressure on current Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), urging him to move forward with reform ICC Sanctions Actwhich has already been passed on a bipartisan basis in the House of Representatives.
Speaking before the Senate on Thursday, Thune said:
New Senate Majority Leader John Thune: We must advance the ICC sanctions bill
“Mr. President, before I begin, I would like to address the International Criminal Court’s recent decision to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and the former Defense Minister… https://t.co/qjyLw0BdXu pic.twitter.com/juBpumggnF
– Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 21, 2024
“Mr. Mr. President, before I begin, I would like to say a word about the issuance of arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant. The ICC’s decision is outrageous, illegal and risky. Israel has the right , to defend themselves, and the ICC’s rogue actions only enable the terrorists who want to wipe Israel off the map. These actions threaten Israel, but if left unchecked, they could pose a threat to the United States in the future.
The Senate must stand sturdy with our ally during this time. I again call on Chairman Schumer to introduce a bill to sanction the ICC, which the House of Representatives has already passed with bipartisan support. Last night, the Senate sent a sturdy bipartisan message of support for Israel by rejecting resolutions that would have denied Israel the lethal aid it needs. Now the Democratic leader must raise the ICC sanctions bill. If he chooses not to act, the recent Republican majority in the Senate will do so next year.
We will stand with Israel and make this law and other supporting legislation a top priority in the next Congress. In six weeks the Republicans will regain the majority here. And when we do that, we will make it clear that the United States is right in Israel’s corner.”
Your move, Chuck. Let’s see where your priorities lie.
